College of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

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AYURVEDIC FOODS

Banana Benefits (According to Ayurveda)

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Customer Reviews

4.00 out of 5 stars

"Are cooked bananas vata friendly?"

- Lauren Bohart, Dallas, TX full start review

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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

Recipes with Banana: Black Bean Chocolate Smoothie

Replenish Electrolytes and Rehydrate

You have spent a long hot afternoon tending your garden or chasing the kids and you're feeling parched. But sometimes, no matter how much water you drink, your body still feels thirsty. Simple water lacks the electrolytes your body needs to rehydrate. Without electrolytes, your kidneys simply can't hold onto your water. Instead, your vital fluids are quickly lost in your urine. Often, the best remedy for dehydration is a revitalizing balance of electrolytes and water.

Fresh, ripe fruits like bananas are the earth's pure nectar that will keep you cool & replenish fluids. refreshing and energizing your entire body. Bananas are the ideal delight on a hot summer afternoon for restoring electrolytes. If you are feeling a little sluggish, its natural sugars will restore your energy levels as well.

Feed Your Muscles

Do you ever feel tight cramps in the back of your legs, often called "charlie horses?" Muscle cramps are a common sign of low potassium, electrolyte and hydration levels. If your muscles are weak, tired or fatigued, consider muscle nourishing foods that restore your electrolytes like banana. Muscles depend on electrolytes for contraction as well as relaxation. Electrolytes, especially sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium, help your muscles function at optimal levels. Bananas are rich in potassium, plus their nourishing natural sugars fuel the strength your muscles need to help you work and play. So peel yourself a ripe banana, drop one in a smoothie, pull up a beach chair, and enjoy!

Calm Your Tummy

With its creamy, moist, sticky and soft texture, bananas have long been recommended to soothe intestinal irritation. Summer heat depletes protective mucus in the GI and overstimulates bile production in the liver, irritating your intestines. Soothe your discomfort and pacify excess heat with the unctuous banana. Bananas help to stimulate mucous production in your gut, which has an anti-acid and soothing effect on your stomach.

Bananas are heavier and harder to digest than most other ripe fruits. When spiced up with lime, ginger and/or cardamom (natural digestive aids), this super fruit is lighter and easier to digest.

Recipes with Banana: Banana Strawberry Smoothie

Body-licious

Banana beauty benefits are varied and are considered one of nature's natural moisturizers. They impart luster on skin and hair, and whether enjoyed as a culinary delight, or used directly on your body (yes, even the banana peel), you will experience soft, smooth and glowing skin. Banana peels have been used topically to help with liver spots, hemorrhoids, and itching. Bananas are anti-bacterial.

Buying & Preparation

Unripe bananas will have a green hue, especially at the stem. Unripe bananas are highly astringent and cooling, helping to bind up stool and prevent diarrhea. Overripe bananas taste sour, perhaps even pungent, and are often soft or brown due to fermentation and alcohol content. Overripe bananas are Pitta provoking, causing looser stools. Perfectly ripe bananas are speckled. They taste smooth, sweet and mucilaginous.
Avoid putting bananas in the refridgerator, which will turn them brown. If your bananas are in danger of freezing, peel them and place them in a ziplock bag in the freezer. Then use them in your favorite smoothies.

Cooking Banana

Bananas may be fried, but turn to mush when cooked too long.

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Is Banana Good for My Ayurvedic Diet?

Find out by taking this free, easy quiz. You'll learn your body type, and whether 'Banana' 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: 1/2 c

SPECIES: Musa spp.

FAMILY: Musaceae

MEAL: BREAKFAST, SNACK-DESSERT

EAT IN: SUMMER

Metabolic Nature of Banana

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 HEAVY ABOUT HEAVY BIOCHARACTERISTIC Heavy is identified by sedation, sluggishness, or increased weight. LEARN MORE ABOUT HEAVY
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	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): Muscle MUSCLE Muscle tissue (Mamsa Dhatu) includes muscles and ligaments. SEE ALL 'MUSCLE' FOODS / HERBS Affinity: Digestion, Energy Vitality ENERGY-VITALITY Includes vitality improving foods, herbs, and exercises by dosha. SEE ALL 'ENERGY-VITALITY' FOODS / HERBS , Muscle Health, 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: Musaceae
HERBAL ACTIONS (see all)	Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Banana 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: Quenches Thirst QUENCHES-THIRST An herb or substance that relieves thirst. SEE ALL 'QUENCHES-THIRST' FOODS / HERBS , Stimulates Peristalsis STIMULATES-PERISTALSIS An herb that promotes involuntary smooth muscle contractions to facilitate the movement of food and waste through the digestive tract. SEE ALL 'STIMULATES-PERISTALSIS' FOODS / HERBS , Antacid ANTACID Herbs that neutralize acidity in the gastrointestinal tract, the stomach in particular. SEE ALL 'ANTACID' 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 Energy Vitality: Satisfies Stomach SATISFIES-STOMACH Provides a sense of gratification and fullness in the stomach. SEE ALL 'SATISFIES-STOMACH' FOODS / HERBS , Stimulates Energy STIMULATES-ENERGY This category groups thyroid and adrenal stimulating herbs. SEE ALL 'STIMULATES-ENERGY' FOODS / HERBS , Nutritive NUTRITIVE An herb that is strengthening and nourishing. SEE ALL 'NUTRITIVE' FOODS / HERBS Skin Care & Beauty: 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). SEE ALL 'ANTIPRURITIC' FOODS / HERBS , 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 , Skin Tonic SKIN-TONIC An herb that strengthens and nourishes skin, improving tone, color, moisture and complexion. SEE ALL 'SKIN-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS Heart & Circulation: Rebuild Electrolytes REBUILD-ELECTROLYTES Substances that increase your electrolyte balance. Electrolytes help you retain water, keep your palate moist, and truly quench your thirst. SEE ALL 'REBUILD-ELECTROLYTES' FOODS / HERBS Strength, Muscle Health: Muscle Tonic MUSCLE-TONIC Herbs that strengthen and tone muscle tissue. Helpful for people recovering from long term illness and debility, or after a sprain. SEE ALL 'MUSCLE-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS Constituents: Nitric Oxide STRONG NITRIC-OXIDE Improves circulation by dilating blood vessels. Protects blood vessels from damage. Improves athletic performance, libido, immunity, and brain health. SEE ALL 'NITRIC-OXIDE' FOODS / HERBS , Carbohydrate, Melatonin, Potassium, Soluble Fiber, Vitamin C

Foods with a Similar Nature to Banana

Jackfruit

Jackfruit has these Actions in Common

Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Rebuild-electrolytes, Demulcent, Nutritive, Satisfies-stomach, Muscle-tonic, Quenches-thirst

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Milk

Milk has these Actions in Common

Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Satisfies-stomach, Antacid, Nutritive, Demulcent, Quenches-thirst

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Sesame Seeds

Sesame Seeds has these Actions in Common

Stimulates-energy, Muscle-tonic, Satisfies-stomach, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Skin-tonic, Nutritive

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Tahini

Tahini has these Actions in Common

Nutritive, Stimulates-energy, Muscle-tonic, Satisfies-stomach, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Skin-tonic

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Almonds

Almonds has these Actions in Common

Stimulates-energy, Muscle-tonic, Satisfies-stomach, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Skin-tonic, Nutritive

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Buffalo Milk

Buffalo Milk has these Actions in Common

Demulcent, Quenches-thirst, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Satisfies-stomach, Nutritive

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Avocado

Avocado has these Actions in Common

Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Skin-tonic, Nutritive, Demulcent, Satisfies-stomach

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Popped Amaranth

Popped Amaranth has these Actions in Common

Demulcent, Nutritive, Muscle-tonic, Satisfies-stomach, Nerve-relaxant-grounding

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Amaranth

Amaranth has these Actions in Common

Satisfies-stomach, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Demulcent, Nutritive, Muscle-tonic

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Beets

Beets has these Actions in Common

Satisfies-stomach, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Skin-tonic, Nutritive, Stimulates-energy

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Herb Supplements with a Similar Nature to Banana

Shatavari

Shatavari has these Actions in Common

Antacid, Demulcent, Muscle-tonic, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Nutritive

LEARN MORE

Gokshura

Gokshura has these Actions in Common

Nutritive, Skin-tonic, Antipruritic, Demulcent, Nerve-relaxant-grounding

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Amalaki

Amalaki has these Actions in Common

Antacid, Nutritive, Quenches-thirst, Skin-tonic, Stimulates-energy

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Vata Shirodhara Oil

Vata Shirodhara Oil has these Actions in Common

Demulcent, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Nutritive, Skin-tonic

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Bala

Bala has these Actions in Common

Muscle-tonic, Nutritive, Stimulates-energy, Demulcent

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Vidari

Vidari has these Actions in Common

Demulcent, Muscle-tonic, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Nutritive

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Licorice Ghee (9oz)

Licorice Ghee (9oz) has these Actions in Common

Demulcent, Nutritive, Antacid, Antipruritic

LEARN MORE

Licorice Root (Yastimadhu)

Licorice Root (Yastimadhu) has these Actions in Common

Nutritive, Antacid, Antipruritic, Demulcent

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Kapha Massage Oil

Kapha Massage Oil has these Actions in Common

Muscle-tonic, Skin-tonic, Stimulates-energy

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Solomon's Seal

Solomon's Seal has these Actions in Common

Demulcent, Nutritive, Quenches-thirst

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Bala Taila

Bala Taila has these Actions in Common

Muscle-tonic, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Nutritive

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Impact of Banana

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.