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AYURVEDIC FOODS

Sorghum Flour Benefits (According to Ayurveda)

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1. Ayurvedic Perspective

2. Biocharacteristics & Herbal Actions

3. Similar foods and herbs

4. Impact: On tongue, nerves, elimination, etc.

5. Indications / Benefits

6. Comments and reviews

How Does This Ayurvedic Food Improve Wellness?

CLINICAL AYURVEDIC REVIEW

Every time I stop in a country store of the Southern Appalachian, I find a jar of sorghum molasses. "A couple of generations ago, sorghum was a staple sweetener in the South. It was cheap and plentiful."

Sorghum flour is now gaining popularity among health enthusiasts as a gluten free alternative to wheat.

Sorghum may be eaten as a whole berry, or ground into flour. The flour has a fine, tender texture and delicate mouth feel. Just as smooth, demulcent, gooey as oatmeal or wheat but not as heavy. I noticed my sorghum pancakes were light and fluffy, delightful to eat. One student writes, "Making a pancake-of-sorts with the sorghum flour was very satisfying. The smell in the kitchen, and savory flavor in my mouth, brought back that Saturday morning satisfaction without the heaviness of wheat."

Chef Michelle Bernstein of Cena in Miami says the whole berries are "very toothsome and filling." Chef Marc Forgione of Lobster Press NYC says, "The closest thing I can compare it to is heirloom farro; it's got a great, earthy bite to it, and if you cook it risotto style, it will have a nice chew to it." For a fun twist, the berries can also be popped like popcorn.

Sorghum is closely related to sugarcane. It is slightly sweet and can be used to make alcohol.

The plant Sorghum bicolor is the 5th most important cereal crop grown in the world. It is popular not only in the southern USA, but also in Africa, and India.
Footnote: The information for this article was in part gathered from a 2020 study and survey of 13 students of Ayurveda who experimented with sorghum. During the study, students ate sorghum for 3 days and journaled the pharmacological effects. This study was sponsored by the Joyful Belly School of Ayurveda, and specifically the Mastering Ayurvedic Digestion & Nutrition certification course.

Light, Easy to Digest.

"My whole body felt lighter and more energetic than when I eat a lot of wheat," says one student. Kapha individuals will enjoy sorghum because it is drier and lighter than wheat. It won't put you to sleep after eating. It's a great grain if wheat and dairy are causing too much mucus or weight gain.

It's unusual to find a light food that is nourishing AND satisfying. Sorghum is like white rice in lightness, but has a more robust nutritional profile. Most high protein, nourishing foods are heavy. Most light foods, like salads, are not considered comfort foods. But sorghum is both.

Satisfying, Relaxing But Light

Sorghum is especially great as a comfort food because it is relaxing. One student reports, "My core feels more grounded, and that is pleasant."

The ample sweet taste, and high magnesium profile, relaxes muscles. Sorghum's relaxing nature can be helpful for many conditions, from insomnia to epilepsy. It's high protein, complex carb, sugar balance makes it great for epileptics.

For a great grounding, yet light food, sorghum can't be beat!

Lungs

Brazilians decoct the seed for bronchitis, cough and other chest ailments. They use the ash for goiters. Arubans place hot oil poultices of the seeds on the backs of those suffering with pulmonary congestion.

Chinese medicine lists it as a cough suppressant and bronchodilator that resolves phlegm. The root is considered the most potent part of the plant for lung conditions.

Blood & Muscles

The high iron content of sorghum nourishes the blood. Sorghum plant sap is a known remedy for anemia. It is especially helpful in sickle cell anemia, as it builds hemoglobin. Studies suggest the sap is high in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory. Sorghum would therefore be considered Pitta pacifying.

Sorghum is slightly warming. However, its mild vasodilating quality disperses excess heat. One student reported a "pulsing sensation and lightness in the face, arms, and legs." Another said, "I had a feeling of lightness making my head feel like it is levitating."

Sorghum is sweet but a complex carbohydrate with a low gylcemic index. Complex carbohydrates satisfy your hunger longer and are healthier for diabetes patients.

As a diuretic, sorghum may reduce blood pressure, relieve edema, and flush the kidney of toxins.

Recipes with Sorghum Flour: Multigrain Pancakes

Digestion & Elimination

Students reported that stools were more solid and better formed, after eating sorghum. Here's why:

Fiber bulks up the stool.
Sorghum reduces inflammation which can cause diarrhea.
It digests easily - important if your having digestive upset.
All these qualities useful for client with diarrhea

As a diuretic, sorghum can even be constipating. One student in our class undercooked sorghum, , and then had symptoms resembling a bezoar. A bezoar is a mass in the intestines, occurring when food sticks together and forms a solid substance. The student notes:

"A few minutes after eating I noticed a very strong sharp feeling at the center of my upper belly. It felt like I had a hard lump right in that spot. I did have a few very strong burps thereafter.

My intestines were spasming. I felt a floating bloating feeling in my lower belly. It started on my right lower belly and then traveled. That floating bloating feeling continued to travel back and forth. It kept moving from my lower belly to the right side. My whole body felt tense after awhile, especially my shoulders, neck and the back of my head.

These sensations continued for hours. Eventually I went to sleep. When I woke up, it was gone."

Chef Tom Kaplan, owner of Hugo's in Los Angeles, warns - "[When cooking sorghum, ] let it get really soft, and it will firm up when it cools."

Conclusion

Sorghum is a nourishing and relaxing yet unusually light grain. Bitter and astringent aftertastes hint at Sorghum's Kapha pacifying nature. It is ideal for a stressful day when you want something satisfying that won't weigh you down.

Buying & Preparation

Darker sorghums have more antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds than lighter varieties. Also, remember to look for sorghum under its many other names: In India it is known as jowar. Other names include great millet, Indian millet, milo, durra, or shallu.

Cooking Sorghum Flour

Its slightly astringent and bitter aftertastes are not as pleasant as wheat. This is especially true for desserts with subtle flavors like vanilla cake. But sorghum is an ideal substitute for wheat in savory recipes like muffins and pancakes.

If you plan to bake anything taller than a pancake, sorghum will need a binder. Otherwise it may not rise, making the end product more dense. Without a binder it will be brittle. When I cook with gluten free products, I often stick to cookies and pancakes, which don't have to rise as much.

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Is Sorghum Flour Good for My Ayurvedic Diet?

Find out by taking this free, easy quiz. You'll learn your body type, and whether 'Sorghum Flour' 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.

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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.

SERVING SIZE: 1/4 c

EAT IN: SUMMER

Metabolic Nature of Sorghum Flour

See a complete list of all biocharacteristics.

INCREASES 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. Learn More	EASY ABOUT EASY BIOCHARACTERISTIC Easy refers to anything easy to digest, or digests quickly. LEARN MORE ABOUT EASY GOOEY ABOUT GOOEY BIOCHARACTERISTIC Gooey is identified by anything gelatinous (such as oatmeal), or by mucus congestion. LEARN MORE ABOUT GOOEY COLD ABOUT COLD BIOCHARACTERISTIC Cold refers to anything that reduces body temperature, metabolism, and blood flow. LEARN MORE ABOUT COLD LIGHT ABOUT LIGHT BIOCHARACTERISTIC Lightness is identified by reduced weight. LEARN MORE ABOUT LIGHT
TASTES 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? Learn More	ASTRINGENT ABOUT ASTRINGENT BIOCHARACTERISTIC Astringency is characterized by constriction, drawing together, or drying. LEARN MORE ABOUT ASTRINGENT BITTER ABOUT BITTER BIOCHARACTERISTIC Bitter taste has cholagogue action - it is cold, clear, light, and stimulating. It increases digestive enzymes, laxative, and drying. LEARN MORE ABOUT BITTER SWEET ABOUT SWEET BIOCHARACTERISTIC Sweet refers to anything builds tissue, including macronutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins and fats. LEARN MORE ABOUT SWEET
DOSHAS 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. Learn More	PACIFIES AGGRAVATES
HAS THE FOLLOWING	Tissue (dhatu): Blood Plasma Lymph BLOOD-PLASMA-LYMPH Plasma (Rasa Dhatu) includes plasma, white blood cells, and lymph. SEE ALL 'BLOOD-PLASMA-LYMPH' FOODS / HERBS , Red Blood RED-BLOOD Red blood (Rakta Dhatu) includes red blood cells and blood vessels. SEE ALL 'RED-BLOOD' FOODS / HERBS Subdosha: Kapha Kledaka, Pitta Alochaka, Pitta Bhrajaka Affinity: Kidney Bladder Urinary, Skin Care SKIN-CARE Includes skin care, and anything that nourishes epithelial membranes (of digestive, respiratory, urinary tract, blood vessels, etc). SEE ALL 'SKIN-CARE' FOODS / HERBS Family: Poaceae
HERBAL ACTIONS (see all)	Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Sorghum Flour 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. Digestion: Spleen Tonic SPLEEN-TONIC An herb that strengthens spleen function by improving strength of the blood. Spleen tonics Builds agni, brighten the person's appearances & firms up tissues. SEE ALL 'SPLEEN-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS Bowel Health: Constipative CONSTIPATIVE An herb that binds stools / stops diarrhea. When used in excess, these herbs and foods can cause constipation. SEE ALL 'CONSTIPATIVE' FOODS / HERBS , High Fiber Laxative HIGH-FIBER-LAXATIVE A class of laxative that adds bulk and water to stools. The large size of the stool stimulates peristalsis so the stool can pass more easily through the colon. It is important to drink plenty of water when using high fiber laxatives, as they can be dehydr SEE ALL 'HIGH-FIBER-LAXATIVE' FOODS / HERBS Mind, Stress & Sleep: Nerve Relaxant Grounding NERVE-RELAXANT-GROUNDING Encourages feelings of stability and heaviness. Makes you feel settled, mentally relaxed. Mildly sedates the nervous system to ease stress. Can bring a spacey or anxious person back to earth. Reduces agitation, irritation, stress and racing thoughts. SEE ALL 'NERVE-RELAXANT-GROUNDING' FOODS / HERBS , Relaxes Eyes RELAXES-EYES Eases tension in eye muscles, so the eyes feel less strained, often by supporting the liver. SEE ALL 'RELAXES-EYES' FOODS / HERBS , Antidepressant ANTIDEPRESSANT Herbs that lift feelings of depression, benefit the mind and improve mental function. SEE ALL 'ANTIDEPRESSANT' FOODS / HERBS , Anxiolytic ANXIOLYTIC Herbs that help people suffering from anxiety or panic. They promote a state of calm and often improve sleep. Most anxiolytic herbs are also nervines. SEE ALL 'ANXIOLYTIC' FOODS / HERBS , Brain Tonic BRAIN-TONIC An herb that strengthens the brain and thereby enhances memory or other cognitive functions and improves mental stamina or stability. SEE ALL 'BRAIN-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS , Sedative SEDATIVE Sedative herbs create a sense of calm in the mind and body by specifically calming or quieting the nervous system. Excellent for anxiety, stress and chronic pain. SEE ALL 'SEDATIVE' FOODS / HERBS Energy Vitality: Satisfies Stomach SATISFIES-STOMACH Provides a sense of gratification and fullness in the stomach. SEE ALL 'SATISFIES-STOMACH' FOODS / HERBS , Nutritive NUTRITIVE An herb that is strengthening and nourishing. SEE ALL 'NUTRITIVE' FOODS / HERBS Skin Care & Beauty: Demulcent DEMULCENT Herbs that coat or form a soothing film over a mucous membrane, relieving minor pain and inflammation of the membrane. SEE ALL 'DEMULCENT' FOODS / HERBS Respiratory-Health: Antitussive ANTITUSSIVE Cough suppressant, particularly for dry coughs or a tickle in your throat. SEE ALL 'ANTITUSSIVE' FOODS / HERBS , Bronchodilator BRONCHODILATOR An herb that encourages the widening or opening of the lung airways. They are helpful in wheezing and asthma. SEE ALL 'BRONCHODILATOR' FOODS / HERBS , Lung Tonic LUNG-TONIC Strengthens the lungs. Lung tonics include antifibrotic, vessel tonic, or nourishing herbs with an affinity for the lungs. They aid recovery in acute or chronic lung conditions. SEE ALL 'LUNG-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS Immune System: Anthelminthic ANTHELMINTHIC Kills parasitic worms (hookworms, tapeworms, roundworms, etc). SEE ALL 'ANTHELMINTHIC' FOODS / HERBS , Anti Inflammatory ANTI-INFLAMMATORY Reduces inflammation in the body. Different herbs and carriers target different body systems. SEE ALL 'ANTI-INFLAMMATORY' FOODS / HERBS Heart & Circulation: Blood Tonic BLOOD-TONIC An herb that produces more blood cells in the body, or otherwise improves blood cell quality or hemoglobin content. Helpful for anemia and other types of deficiency. SEE ALL 'BLOOD-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS , Hypotensive HYPOTENSIVE An herb that lowers blood pressure. SEE ALL 'HYPOTENSIVE' FOODS / HERBS Kidney & Urinary: 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. SEE ALL 'DIURETIC' FOODS / HERBS , Dries Mouth DRIES-MOUTH Makes the mouth feel dry, or pasty. SEE ALL 'DRIES-MOUTH' FOODS / HERBS Liver & Gallbladder: Livotonic LIVOTONIC An herb that strengthens the liver. It is helpful for people with a history of substance abuse, chronic liver issues from hepatitis and hemolytic anemias. Generally, liver tonics are oily, cool, sweet, mildly sour, or contain beta-carotene. SEE ALL 'LIVOTONIC' FOODS / HERBS Constituents: Carbohydrate, Iron IRON Iron is necessary for the transport of oxygen in red blood cells. SEE ALL 'IRON' FOODS / HERBS , Phosphorous, Potassium, Protein

Foods with a Similar Nature to Sorghum Flour

Acai

Acai has these Actions in Common

Antidepressant, Hypotensive, Nutritive, Brain-tonic, Livotonic, Relaxes-eyes, Anti-inflammatory, High-fiber-laxative, Nerve-relaxant-grounding

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Hemp Seed

Hemp Seed has these Actions in Common

High-fiber-laxative, Relaxes-eyes, Anxiolytic, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Satisfies-stomach, Diuretic, Nutritive, Sedative

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Amaranth

Amaranth has these Actions in Common

Diuretic, Nutritive, Blood-tonic, High-fiber-laxative, Relaxes-eyes, Demulcent, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Satisfies-stomach

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Popped Amaranth

Popped Amaranth has these Actions in Common

Demulcent, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Satisfies-stomach, Diuretic, Nutritive, Blood-tonic, High-fiber-laxative, Relaxes-eyes

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Jackfruit

Jackfruit has these Actions in Common

Anti-inflammatory, Dries-mouth, Nutritive, Constipative, High-fiber-laxative, Satisfies-stomach, Demulcent, Nerve-relaxant-grounding

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Beets

Beets has these Actions in Common

Anxiolytic, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Satisfies-stomach, Blood-tonic, Nutritive, Anti-inflammatory, Livotonic, Relaxes-eyes

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Saffron

Saffron has these Actions in Common

Antidepressant, Diuretic, Sedative, Anxiolytic, Livotonic, Spleen-tonic, Blood-tonic, Nutritive

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Millet

Millet has these Actions in Common

Bronchodilator, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Spleen-tonic, Constipative, Nutritive, Dries-mouth, Satisfies-stomach

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Avocado

Avocado has these Actions in Common

Diuretic, Nutritive, Antidepressant, Livotonic, Satisfies-stomach, Demulcent, Nerve-relaxant-grounding

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Adzuki Beans

Adzuki Beans has these Actions in Common

Dries-mouth, Satisfies-stomach, Constipative, High-fiber-laxative, Diuretic, Nutritive, Blood-tonic

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Herb Supplements with a Similar Nature to Sorghum Flour

Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi)

Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi) has these Actions in Common

Dries-mouth, Anti-inflammatory, Lung-tonic, Antidepressant, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Anxiolytic, Sedative, Blood-tonic, Bronchodilator, Constipative, Diuretic

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Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha has these Actions in Common

Brain-tonic, Diuretic, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Nutritive, Anti-inflammatory, Sedative, Antidepressant, Anxiolytic, Blood-tonic

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Punarnava

Punarnava has these Actions in Common

Hypotensive, Lung-tonic, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Anti-inflammatory, Antitussive, Blood-tonic, Bronchodilator, Diuretic

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Oats, Fresh Milky Seed

Oats, Fresh Milky Seed has these Actions in Common

Brain-tonic, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Nutritive, Sedative, Antidepressant, Anxiolytic, Blood-tonic

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Elecampane

Elecampane has these Actions in Common

Lung-tonic, Sedative, Anthelminthic, Antitussive, Brain-tonic, Bronchodilator, Diuretic

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Black Cohosh

Black Cohosh has these Actions in Common

Sedative, Anti-inflammatory, Antidepressant, Anxiolytic, Bronchodilator, Hypotensive, Nerve-relaxant-grounding

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Gokshura

Gokshura has these Actions in Common

Antitussive, Demulcent, Diuretic, Hypotensive, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Nutritive, Sedative

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Bhringaraj

Bhringaraj has these Actions in Common

Diuretic, Hypotensive, Livotonic, Sedative, Anthelminthic, Anti-inflammatory, Blood-tonic

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Vidari

Vidari has these Actions in Common

Demulcent, Diuretic, Hypotensive, Livotonic, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Nutritive, Constipative

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Licorice Ghee (9oz)

Licorice Ghee (9oz) has these Actions in Common

Lung-tonic, Nutritive, Relaxes-eyes, Anti-inflammatory, Antitussive, Demulcent, Livotonic

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Licorice Root (Yastimadhu)

Licorice Root (Yastimadhu) has these Actions in Common

Anti-inflammatory, Antitussive, Demulcent, Livotonic, Lung-tonic, Nutritive, Relaxes-eyes

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Impact of Sorghum Flour

In each clinical research trial below, students from the Joyful Belly School of Ayurveda ate the selected food for 3 days and reported the pharmacological effects. See other clinical research trials for diet & herbs at Joyful Belly.