AYURVEDIC RECIPES

Mint Cucumber Lemonade

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How to Make Mint Cucumber Lemonade

SERVINGS: 4
PREP TIME: 5 MINUTES
COOK TIME: 0 MINUTES

MEAL: DRINK
STYLE: WESTERN
PREPARATION: RAW
EAT IN: SUMMER
FOR OCCASION: CLEANSE

INGREDIENTS

1/4 c
1 whole
1 c

PREPARATION OF THIS HEALTHY RECIPE

Slice cucumber thin and add to 1qt water. Slice, then squeeze lemons into water. Add the leftover rinds as well. Lightly chop mint and add.

How Does This Ayurvedic Recipe Improve Wellness?

CLINICAL AYURVEDIC REVIEW

Cool As a Cucumber

Cucumber is an easy-going vegetable with a delightfully pleasing crunch. If you're feeling a little hot and bothered, this natural refresher will alleviate your thirst and freshen your breath. Its jade green skin recalls a cool afternoon under your favorite shade tree, ideal for your next picnic. Moisturizing & cool, a single slice is restorative, helping you mellow the summer heat.

Refreshing Mint

Mint is light and airy, with a refreshing aroma and cool aftertaste. This pleasant spice naturally helps you sweat. It relaxes your muscles while lifting your emotions. Its aroma when inhaled easily reaches the brain. Psychologically, peppermint inspires, refreshes and arouses with a sense of awe and letting go.

Lemon

Feeling dry or parched? Lemon quenches your thirst while it cleanses. Like mint, it helps you sweat, keeping you cool on a hot summer day.

WHAT IS MINT CUCUMBER LEMONADE?

This cool and refreshing summer drink will have you feeling as cold as the fridge no matter how high the heat.

AYURVEDA'S GUIDE TO VITALITY & WHOLESOME NOURISHMENT

Your Ayurvedic diet is tailored to your individual body and your specific imbalances. With an Ayurvedic diet you feel joy and satisfaction because what you are eating truly nourishes and balances you. Disease results from diets and lifestyles that are incompatible with your nature. By eating a personalized diet matched to your body, you experience optimal health. See How it Works.

Is Mint Cucumber Lemonade Good for My Ayurvedic Diet?

Find out by taking this free, easy quiz. You'll learn your body type, and whether 'Mint Cucumber Lemonade' is a good fit. Complete the basic quiz in 1 minute, or go deeper with additional quizzes at your own leisure to learn more about your body.
See a complete list of all biocharacteristics.
INCREASES
Guna Help

Increases These Biocharacteristics (Gunas)

Functional Ayurveda helps you assess imbalances through 20 main biocharacteristics (gunas). Aggravating these characteristics weakens your body and causes imbalance. By knowing which characteristics are habitually imbalanced in your body, you will be able to identify and correct imbalances before you get sick. Every characteristic has an opposite which balances it (i.e. hot balances cold). You restore balance by favoring diet and lifestyle choices that increase the opposite characteristic.

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LIQUEFIED

ABOUT LIQUEFIED BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Substances that thin fluids (lower viscosity of blood plasma). These may include blood thinners or mucolytic herbs.

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MOBILE

ABOUT MOBILE BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Mobile refers to anything that stimulates the nervous system, muscles, or activity.

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CLEAR

ABOUT CLEAR BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Clear refers to anything that cleanses or flushes out wastes, or that digests ama.

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LIGHT

ABOUT LIGHT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Lightness is identified by reduced weight.

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EASY

ABOUT EASY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Easy refers to anything easy to digest, or digests quickly.

LEARN MORE ABOUT EASY

TASTES
Taste Help

The 6 Tastes

Taste is used to sense the most basic properties and effects of food. Each taste has a specific medicinal effect on your body. Cravings for food with certain tastes indicate your body is craving specific medicinal results from food. Taste is experienced on the tongue and represents your body's reaction to foods. Sweet taste causes physical satisfaction and attraction whereas bitter taste causes discomfort and aversion. Kapha should use less sweet taste while Vata and Pitta would benefit from using more sweet taste. One of the first signs of illness is that your taste and appetite for food changes. The six tastes are sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent. Do you crave foods with any of the tastes below?

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SOUR

ABOUT SOUR BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Sour refers to anything fermented or acidic.

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PUNGENT

ABOUT PUNGENT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Pungency is characterized by irritation, or sharp, spicy foods that irritate the mouth such as black pepper.

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BITTER

ABOUT BITTER BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Bitter taste has cholagogue action - it is cold, clear, light, and stimulating. It increases digestive enzymes, laxative, and drying.

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DOSHAS
Dosha Help

The Three Doshas / Body Types

According to the biocharacteristic theory of medicine, people tend to get sick, over and over again, due to habitual causes and imbalances that are unique to the person. Your body type summarizes this tendency, showing you the 'type' of conditions and imbalances that frequently challenge your health & wellness. Using body type, you can also identify remedies likely to improve your strength and resiliency. Your body type identifies physical and mental characteristics as well as your personal strengths and weaknesses. The calculation of your body type is based on your medical history.

The 3 functional body types (doshas), are Catabolic (Vata), Metabolic (Pitta), and Anabolic (Kapha). Catabolic individuals tend to break down body mass into energy. They are easily stimulated, hyperactive, underweight and dry. Metabolic individuals tend to burn or use energy. They tend to be rosy-cheeked, easily irritated, focused, driven, and easily inflamed. Anabolic individuals tend to store energy as body mass. If they store too much energy, they could gain weight easily and have congestion. Anabolic people tend to be stable and grounded.

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PACIFIES
Kapha pacifying Pitta pacifying
AGGRAVATES
Vata aggravating
HAS THE FOLLOWING
Subtaste:
Aromatic

AROMATIC

Herbs or spices with volatile essential oils that present strong aromas. Aromatic oils shock, refresh and numb tissue, with the end result of relaxing, opening and clearing stagnant fluids in tissues.

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HERBAL ACTIONS
(see all)

Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Mint Cucumber Lemonade
Help
Experiences are Personal
Experiences vary according to the person and constitution. Individual results may vary. The list of herbal-actions below has not be approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.

Quenches Thirst

QUENCHES-THIRST

An herb or substance that relieves thirst.

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,
Appetizer

APPETIZER

Herbs that cleanse the palate & stimulate hunger or desire to eat.

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,
Carminative

CARMINATIVE

Stimulates the release of gas. Helpful for bloating or cramping abdominal pain. Propels food downward. Carminatives typically expel gas by relaxing the muscles of the intestines.

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,
Stomachic

STOMACHIC

An herb that increases appetite or settles a nauseas or nervous stomach. These generally increase the digestive fire, therefore relieving symptoms of sluggish or difficult digestion.

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Internal Detoxicant

INTERNAL-DETOXICANT

Liquefies, dissolves, decongests or dislodges internal stagnant toxins. Decongests the lymphatic system.

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,
Burns Toxins

BURNS-TOXINS

An herb that detoxifies by helping your body metabolize toxins, as opposed to eliminating them.

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Stimulates Front Of Brain

STIMULATES-FRONT-OF-BRAIN

Creates a feeling of awareness or tension in the area in the forehead. Activates the frontal lobe - the area responsible for motor function, emotional expression, thinking, and decision making.

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,
Stimulates Crown

STIMULATES-CROWN

Creates a feeling of awareness or tension in the area at the top of the head.

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,
Relaxes Eyes

RELAXES-EYES

Eases tension in eye muscles, so the eyes feel less strained, often by supporting the liver.

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,
Nervine

NERVINE

Balances the nervous system. They can help with stress, memory, early alzheimer's, and even chronic pain. Often they are aromatic in nature.

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,
Dopaminergic

DOPAMINERGIC

Dopamine lifts mood, but also reduces prolactin, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), and lutenizing hormone (LH).

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,
Antidepressant

ANTIDEPRESSANT

Herbs that lift feelings of depression, benefit the mind and improve mental function.

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Refreshing

REFRESHING

Stimulates and wakes up the body, leaving it feeling cool, fresh, and energized.

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,
Stimulates Energy

STIMULATES-ENERGY

This category groups thyroid and adrenal stimulating herbs.

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Refreshes Skin

REFRESHES-SKIN

Flushes the lymphatic system to cool, awaken, and revive the skin.

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,
Diaphoretic

DIAPHORETIC

An herb that induces sweating, often by dilating blood vessels close to the skin.

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,
Antipruritic

ANTIPRURITIC

Antipruritics are herbs that inhibit itching, often associated with skin conditions such as sunburns, allergic reactions, eczema, psoriasis, chickenpox, fungal infections, insect bites, or contact dermatitis (as in poison ivy rashes).

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Soothes Throat

SOOTHES-THROAT

Soothes throat discomfort, including from a sore or ticklish throat.

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Calms Heart

CALMS-HEART

An herb that literally calms the heart. These herbs are helpful in the treatment of anxiety, sadness, depression, or other emotional imbalances in the heart. Related to the Chinese Herbal Category 'calms spirit.'

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,
Vasodilator

VASODILATOR

A vasodilator is an herb that widens the blood vessels by the relaxation of smooth muscle cells within the vessel walls, thereby increasing circulation systemically or to a local area.

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,
Refrigerant

REFRIGERANT

An herb or substance that strongly cools the body. Can be helpful in cases of heat conditions.

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Diuretic

DIURETIC

Herbs that promote urine formation, thereby flushing the kidneys and urinary tract while eliminating any excess water retention. As diuretics reduce water retention, they are often used to reduce blood pressure.

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Hypolipidemic

HYPOLIPIDEMIC

Scrapes fats / cleanses blood vessels by 1) purging bile, 2) strengthening the liver's ability to metabolize fats, 3) by increasing uptake of cholesterol in the liver, and 4) by inhibiting fat cells.

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Antispasmodic

ANTISPASMODIC

Herbs that reduce or inhibit muscle spasms or cramping, such as in asthma, menstruation, hear palpitations, migraine, or IBS.

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Constituents:
Coumarin

COUMARIN

Moderately toxic, vascular tonic, hypotensive, and anti-inflammatory.

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,
Iron

IRON

Iron is necessary for the transport of oxygen in red blood cells.

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,
Rosmarinic Acid

ROSMARINIC-ACID

Inhibits autoantibodies from binding to TSH receptors in the thyroid.

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,
Rutin

RUTIN

Rutin is a flavonoid with anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. Commonly used to treat conditions such as varicose veins, hemorrhoids, and high blood pressure.

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,
Aromatase Inhibitor

AROMATASE-INHIBITOR

Blocks estrogen synthesis by inhibiting conversion of progesterone and testosterone into estrogen.

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, Vitamin K,
Flavonoids

FLAVONOIDS

Flavonoids are a colorful type of polyphenol. As all polyphenols, they have a strong antioxidant effect. Many flavonoids have an anti-inflammatory, and/or antiallergen effect.

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,
Nitric Oxide

NITRIC-OXIDE

Improves circulation by dilating blood vessels. Protects blood vessels from damage. Improves athletic performance, libido, immunity, and brain health.

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,
Polyphenols

POLYPHENOLS

Polyphenols are powerful antioxidants seen in many fruits and vegetables. There are more than 8,000 types.

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Foods with a Similar Nature to Mint Cucumber Lemonade

Mint

Mint has these Actions in Common

Burns-toxins, Dopaminergic, Refreshes-skin, Stimulates-energy, Vasodilator, Antispasmodic, Carminative, Internal-detoxicant, Refreshing, Stimulates-front-of-brain, Wakes-you-up, Antidepressant, Appetizer, Diaphoretic, Nervine, Stimulates-crown, Stomachic, Antipruritic

LEARN MORE

Ginger (Fresh)

Ginger (Fresh) has these Actions in Common

Burns-toxins, Internal-detoxicant, Stimulates-energy, Wakes-you-up, Antispasmodic, Carminative, Nervine, Stomachic, Appetizer, Hypolipidemic, Refreshing, Vasodilator

LEARN MORE

Ajwain

Ajwain has these Actions in Common

Carminative, Internal-detoxicant, Stimulates-energy, Antispasmodic, Diuretic, Nervine, Vasodilator, Burns-toxins, Hypolipidemic, Refreshing, Wakes-you-up

LEARN MORE

Dill

Dill has these Actions in Common

Antispasmodic, Carminative, Internal-detoxicant, Stomachic, Appetizer, Diaphoretic, Nervine, Vasodilator, Burns-toxins, Diuretic, Stimulates-energy

LEARN MORE

Lemon

Lemon has these Actions in Common

Appetizer, Diaphoretic, Refreshes-skin, Relaxes-eyes, Calms-heart, Internal-detoxicant, Refreshing, Wakes-you-up, Carminative, Quenches-thirst, Refrigerant

LEARN MORE

Allspice

Allspice has these Actions in Common

Appetizer, Internal-detoxicant, Stimulates-front-of-brain, Antidepressant, Burns-toxins, Nervine, Stomachic, Antispasmodic, Carminative, Stimulates-energy, Vasodilator

LEARN MORE

Mustard Seed

Mustard Seed has these Actions in Common

Burns-toxins, Diuretic, Stimulates-front-of-brain, Antipruritic, Carminative, Internal-detoxicant, Vasodilator, Antispasmodic, Diaphoretic, Stimulates-energy, Wakes-you-up

LEARN MORE

Mustard Powder

Mustard Powder has these Actions in Common

Burns-toxins, Diuretic, Stimulates-front-of-brain, Antipruritic, Carminative, Internal-detoxicant, Vasodilator, Antispasmodic, Diaphoretic, Stimulates-energy, Wakes-you-up

LEARN MORE

Mustard

Mustard has these Actions in Common

Antispasmodic, Diaphoretic, Stimulates-energy, Wakes-you-up, Burns-toxins, Diuretic, Stimulates-front-of-brain, Antipruritic, Carminative, Internal-detoxicant, Vasodilator

LEARN MORE

Cilantro

Cilantro has these Actions in Common

Appetizer, Diuretic, Refreshing, Stomachic, Burns-toxins, Hypolipidemic, Refrigerant, Carminative, Internal-detoxicant, Stimulates-energy

LEARN MORE

Basil

Basil has these Actions in Common

Antispasmodic, Carminative, Internal-detoxicant, Appetizer, Diaphoretic, Nervine, Antidepressant, Burns-toxins, Diuretic, Vasodilator

LEARN MORE

Herb Supplements with a Similar Nature to Mint Cucumber Lemonade

Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi)

Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi) has these Actions in Common

Internal-detoxicant, Antidepressant, Nervine, Antispasmodic, Refreshing, Appetizer, Stimulates-crown, Burns-toxins, Stimulates-energy, Diaphoretic, Stimulates-front-of-brain, Diuretic, Stomachic, Hypolipidemic, Vasodilator

LEARN MORE

Hyssop Powder

Hyssop Powder has these Actions in Common

Internal-detoxicant, Nervine, Refreshing, Stimulates-energy, Antidepressant, Vasodilator, Carminative, Diaphoretic, Diuretic

LEARN MORE

Deodar (Himalayan Cedar, Devadaru)

Deodar (Himalayan Cedar, Devadaru) has these Actions in Common

Vasodilator, Antidepressant, Wakes-you-up, Antispasmodic, Carminative, Diuretic, Nervine, Refreshing, Stimulates-energy

LEARN MORE

Mugwort

Mugwort has these Actions in Common

Nervine, Refrigerant, Antispasmodic, Stomachic, Appetizer, Carminative, Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Internal-detoxicant

LEARN MORE

Breath of Fire / Shining Skull (Kapalbhati Pranayama)

Breath of Fire / Shining Skull (Kapalbhati Pranayama) has these Actions in Common

Antispasmodic, Internal-detoxicant, Nervine, Refreshing, Stimulates-crown, Stimulates-energy, Stimulates-front-of-brain, Wakes-you-up, Antidepressant

LEARN MORE

Bellows Breath (Bhastrika Pranayama)

Bellows Breath (Bhastrika Pranayama) has these Actions in Common

Antidepressant, Wakes-you-up, Antispasmodic, Internal-detoxicant, Nervine, Refreshing, Stimulates-crown, Stimulates-energy, Stimulates-front-of-brain

LEARN MORE

Wild Ginger

Wild Ginger has these Actions in Common

Appetizer, Burns-toxins, Carminative, Diaphoretic, Internal-detoxicant, Stimulates-energy, Vasodilator, Antispasmodic

LEARN MORE

Pennyroyal

Pennyroyal has these Actions in Common

Nervine, Stimulates-crown, Vasodilator, Antispasmodic, Appetizer, Carminative, Diaphoretic, Diuretic

LEARN MORE

Lemon Balm

Lemon Balm has these Actions in Common

Diaphoretic, Dopaminergic, Nervine, Stimulates-energy, Vasodilator, Antidepressant, Antispasmodic, Carminative

LEARN MORE

Thyme White Essential Oil - 1/3 oz

Thyme White Essential Oil - 1/3 oz has these Actions in Common

Appetizer, Burns-toxins, Diaphoretic, Internal-detoxicant, Nervine, Stimulates-energy, Vasodilator, Antispasmodic

LEARN MORE

Amalaki

Amalaki has these Actions in Common

Carminative, Internal-detoxicant, Quenches-thirst, Refreshing, Refrigerant, Relaxes-eyes, Stimulates-energy, Wakes-you-up

LEARN MORE


Joyful Belly is a recognized school of biocharacteristics medicine.

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About John Joseph Immel

About the Author

John Immel, the founder of Joyful Belly, teaches people how to have a healthy diet and lifestyle with Ayurveda biocharacteristics. His approach to Ayurveda is clinical, yet exudes an ease which many find enjoyable and insightful. John also directs Joyful Belly's School of Ayurveda, offering professional clinical training in Ayurveda for over 15 years.

John's interest in Ayurveda and specialization in digestive tract pathology was inspired by a complex digestive disorder acquired from years of international travel, as well as public service work in South Asia. John's commitment to the detailed study of digestive disorders reflects his zeal to get down to the roots of the problem. His hope and belief in the capacity of each & every client to improve their quality of life is nothing short of a personal passion. John's creativity in the kitchen and delight in cooking for others comes from his family oriented upbringing. In addition to his certification in Ayurveda, John holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Harvard University.

John enjoys sharing Ayurveda within the context of his Catholic roots, and finds Ayurveda gives him an opportunity to participate in the healing mission of the Church. Jesus expressed God's love by feeding and healing the sick. That kindness is the fundamental ministry of Ayurveda as well. Outside of work, John enjoys spending time with his wife and 7 kids, and pursuing his love of theology, philosophy, and language.

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Comments & Impressions of 'Mint Cucumber Lemonade'

Do you like 'mint cucumber lemonade'? Why or why not? What makes it unique? Is there something else you'd like to know about 'mint cucumber lemonade'?

full start reviewfull start reviewfull start reviewfull start reviewfull start review(5.00 out of 5 stars) 1 rating, 297 likes
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This combination of other ingredients in this drink make it ok for Vata - especially in the warm weather. This would not be a good choice for Vata in winter. The doshas are crossed off in each ingredient to show you which doshas the ingredient will increase or aggravate. That doesn't mean that the ingredient should never be eaten by that dosha, but it needs to balanced with other ingredients that will make it suitable for the given dosha. Does that make sense?
- Kimberly Kubicke, Asbury park, NJ
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, 08-03-16 (Reply)

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