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Strawberries 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

Recipes with Strawberries: Banana Strawberry Smoothie

A ruby red strawberry will simply burst in your mouth and flood your tongue with pure delight. Bite sized and almost too easy to eat, you might find yourself gobbling up one juicy strawberry after another while enjoying their delectably tart sweetness. The symbol of love for the ancient Greeks, these plump little heart-shaped fruits gush with a myriad of health benefits. With each bite the cooling juice refreshes and hydrates your palate, as the slight roughness of the seeds brush against your tongue. Their succulent flavor and texture are universally adored and were even regarded by the ancient Chinese as the queen of fruits.

Gentle, Nourishing, & Easy to Digest

As delicate as they may look, the sourness you experience while savoring a strawberry stimulates the appetite, and moistens the entire gastrointestinal tract from mouth to final elimination. Next time you pucker while eating a strawberry, notice how this invigorating little fruit strengthens your entire digestive system, even helping to dislodge stagnant and undigested food as it reduces feelings of heaviness. Strawberries can also help soothe an irritated, inflamed stomach.

The sweet cool nectar of a strawberry encourages the production of body fluids, moisturizes muscles, and nourishes the kidneys. Want to satiate your thirst? Nibble on fresh, ripe strawberries. The juicy tartness of strawberry rejuvenates and revives you, while at the same time recollecting scattered thoughts and grounding the heart & nervous system.

Its nourishing minerals and rejuvenative qualities, in an easy to digest package, make strawberries an ideal supplement for the elderly, those recuperating from illness, and after strenuous physical activity. According to the Chamber's Edinburgh Journal, No. 462, strawberries are well suited for invalids, as they do not produce acetous (aerobic) fermentation in the stomach.

So, go ahead and indulge in strawberries!

Recipes with Strawberries: Lemon & Berries Italian Ice

Radiant, Healthy Looking Skin & Teeth

Strawberries are highly purifying, able to permeate the skin and pores. Packed with vitamin C and salicylic acid, strawberry helps to remove dead skin cells when used topically. In summer, capillary beds in the skin dilate to release heat, leaving the skin red and inflamed with a tendency towards rashes. The mild astringency of strawberry tones and whitens the skin as it reduces this blood flow. They are even ideal for remedying slight irregularities in skin pigmentation, lightening freckles. They have a protective skin property that soothes and heals mild sunburn. For smooth, bright and glowing skin, rub mashed strawberry juice over your entire face immediately after washing. For greater effect, leave the sweet-smelling strawberry pulp on your face as a mask for 15-20 minutes.

Want whiter teeth and fresher breath? Since strawberries are astringent and contain vitamin C, they help to remove surface stains and soften built-up plaque. Gentle apply the juice or pulp of a few strawberries directly onto your teeth and leave for five minutes. Rinse with warm water and a pinch of bicarbonate of soda. This natural tooth whitener will be sure to leave you smiling!

Cooling Liver Tonic

As we invite the warmth of the summer season, and our external environment starts to heat up, we start to feel our internal heat build as well. The heart rate increases as the temperature rises. Blood vessels dilate. Muscles feel heavy and fatigued. Excess blood flow irritates the eyes, which may seem stressed and dry. Naturally you'll become more social as well. But as the heat rises, you may even feel hot, irritated and impulsive. Your body cries out to be soothed and cooled.

Ayurvedically, all the above heat symptoms are signs that summer heat stresses the liver and spleen. Fortunately the cooling qualities of strawberries can help! Their slightly sweet and slightly sour taste offer an ideal liver restorative, alterative and blood coolant. You'll notice the relaxing effect on the eyes, and better focus to boot, within ten minutes of eating a strawberry.

Summer Berries

Summer berries, like the ruby red strawberry, arrive just in time for hot June temperatures. Blue, red and purple berries like strawberry are often sour, slightly sweet, high in beta-carotene, vitamin C and other blood purifying nutrients. Foods, like strawberries, that are high in beta-carotene lower the risk of having age-related macular degeneration, the main cause of vision loss in older adults, by up to 36%. Consume these berries by the handful as they also reduce internal heat, soothe inflamed tissues, and cool your blood. Over-indulge over the weekend? Too much fun sipping summer cocktails? Berries, and especially strawberries can help detox your liver and reduce a lingering hangover.

Most of us have heard about anti-oxidants, and we're told that we need them. Antioxidants neutralize harmful molecules called free radicals. Well, strawberries and most summer berries are chock-full of anti-oxidants. Strawberries also contain anti-carcinogens, a natural food chemical that reduces the occurrence of cancers. Like many members of the rose family, strawberries contain an enzyme called malic acid, known to gently cleanse and restore the liver.

Recipes with Strawberries: Peach & Strawberry Smoothie

Lung, Blood Sugar, and Other Health Benefits

As sweet as they are, research studies have shown that the sweetness of strawberries helps regulate blood sugar response. The sweetness and sourness of strawberries helps to moisten the lungs alleviating respiratory dryness. It's blood balancing properties have been used in feverish conditions. It has also been recommended for kidneys stones and difficult urination.

About Strawberries

The ruby red strawberry has been long appreciated for its unique aroma, bright red color, juicy texture, and sweetness. The first garden strawberry was bred in the 18th century in France. Prior to this, most strawberries were either harvested wild or from cultivated "wild" species.

Buying & Preparation

Buy firm, free of mold, shiny, with deep red color, preferably with the stem attached. Strawberries, like most berries, are easy targets for insects. Conventional strawberries often require heavy pesticide use. Avoid eating inorganic strawberries, as pesticide residues accumulate where the seeds attach to the body of the fruit. Strawberries rot quickly after purchasing. Strawberries should be washed, any rotten spots removed, and then dried upon buying. They should be placed in a paper bag or with a paper towel that will wick away moisture. Strawberries remain fresh in the refrigerator 2 days.

Cooking Strawberries

Strawberry is featured in preserves, fruit juice, pies, ice creams, sherbets, milkshakes, and chocolates. To maximize the strawberry flavor, try slicing strawberries and gently mixing them with 1/4tsp sugar with 1 tsp lemon juice. Strawberries also combine well with limes, rhubarb and kiwis, lemon zest and mint, or with peaches or bananas in smoothies.

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Banana Strawberry Smoothie

Lemon & Berries Italian Ice

Peach & Strawberry Smoothie

Are Strawberries Good for My Ayurvedic Diet?

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

Take the Quiz

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

SPECIES: Fragaria x ananassa

FAMILY: Rosaceae

MEAL: SNACK-DESSERT

EAT IN: SUMMER

Metabolic Nature of Strawberries

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	COLD ABOUT COLD BIOCHARACTERISTIC Cold refers to anything that reduces body temperature, metabolism, and blood flow. LEARN MORE ABOUT COLD EASY ABOUT EASY BIOCHARACTERISTIC Easy refers to anything easy to digest, or digests quickly. LEARN MORE ABOUT EASY 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	SOUR ABOUT SOUR BIOCHARACTERISTIC Sour refers to anything fermented or acidic. LEARN MORE ABOUT SOUR SWEET ABOUT SWEET BIOCHARACTERISTIC Sweet refers to anything builds tissue, including macronutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins and fats. LEARN MORE ABOUT SWEET ASTRINGENT ABOUT ASTRINGENT BIOCHARACTERISTIC Astringency is characterized by constriction, drawing together, or drying. LEARN MORE ABOUT ASTRINGENT
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
HAS THE FOLLOWING	Tissue (dhatu): Red Blood RED-BLOOD Red blood (Rakta Dhatu) includes red blood cells and blood vessels. SEE ALL 'RED-BLOOD' FOODS / HERBS Affinity: Heart Circulation Blood, Digestion, Liver Gallbladder, 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: Rosaceae
HERBAL ACTIONS (see all)	Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Strawberries 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 , Digestive DIGESTIVE Herbs that encourage healthy digestion. SEE ALL 'DIGESTIVE' FOODS / HERBS , Sialogogue SIALOGOGUE A sialogogue increases saliva. Sour foods are often great sialogogues, and increase output of all exocrine glands. Salty taste is very moistening as well. Bitter, pungent and sweettastes also increase salivary output but to a lesser degree. Astringents. SEE ALL 'SIALOGOGUE' FOODS / HERBS Bowel Health: General Laxative GENERAL-LAXATIVE Promotes a bowel movement. General laxative is an umbrella term that refers to several different types of laxatives. SEE ALL 'GENERAL-LAXATIVE' FOODS / HERBS Mind, Stress & Sleep: 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 , Wakes You Up WAKES-YOU-UP Invigorates the body and nervous system, increases energy. SEE ALL 'WAKES-YOU-UP' FOODS / HERBS , Improves Focus IMPROVES-FOCUS Reduces scattered thoughts. Creates a steady mind. Includes herbs that relax (for Vata) and herbs that stimulate (for Kapha). SEE ALL 'IMPROVES-FOCUS' FOODS / HERBS Energy Vitality: Refreshing REFRESHING Stimulates and wakes up the body, leaving it feeling cool, fresh, and energized. SEE ALL 'REFRESHING' FOODS / HERBS Skin Care & Beauty: Skin Tonic SKIN-TONIC An herb that strengthens and nourishes skin, improving tone, color, moisture and complexion. SEE ALL 'SKIN-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS Immune System: Anti Inflammatory ANTI-INFLAMMATORY Reduces inflammation in the body. Different herbs and carriers target different body systems. SEE ALL 'ANTI-INFLAMMATORY' FOODS / HERBS , Anticarcinogenic ANTICARCINOGENIC Herbs that inhibit or prevent the activity of a carcinogen or the development of cancer. SEE ALL 'ANTICARCINOGENIC' FOODS / HERBS , Immune Calming IMMUNE-CALMING Herbs that interrupt an allergic reaction or calm the immune system, useful in allergies and autoimmune conditions. SEE ALL 'IMMUNE-CALMING' FOODS / HERBS Heart & Circulation: Antioxidant STRONG ANTIOXIDANT An antioxidant is a molecule that inhibits oxidation. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that can produce free radicals that lead to a chain reaction causing damage or death to cells. Antioxidants terminate these oxidation reactions. SEE ALL 'ANTIOXIDANT' FOODS / HERBS , Alterative ALTERATIVE Restores the proper function of the body by cleansing the blood and balancing blood chemistry. In Ayurveda terms, they pacify Pitta in rakta. They were traditionally used to revitalize and detoxify after a long winter. SEE ALL 'ALTERATIVE' FOODS / HERBS , Rebuilds Fluids REBUILDS-FLUIDS Herbs or substances that create moisture in the body and increase fluids. SEE ALL 'REBUILDS-FLUIDS' FOODS / HERBS Kidney & Urinary: Kidney Tonic KIDNEY-TONIC An herb that strengthens the kidneys. SEE ALL 'KIDNEY-TONIC' 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 Other: Coumarin Constituents: Tannins, Resveratrol RESVERATROL Antioxidant frequently used for anti-aging. Protects airways and blood vessels. Anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic. SEE ALL 'RESVERATROL' FOODS / HERBS , Soluble Fiber, Vitamin C

Foods with a Similar Nature to Strawberries

Acai

Acai has these Actions in Common

Anti-inflammatory, General-laxative, Quenches-thirst, Wakes-you-up, Anticarcinogenic, Improves-focus, Refreshing, Alterative, Antioxidant, Livotonic, Relaxes-eyes

LEARN MORE

Blueberry

Blueberry has these Actions in Common

Alterative, Antioxidant, Kidney-tonic, Anti-inflammatory, Immune-calming, Livotonic, Anticarcinogenic, Improves-focus, Refreshing

LEARN MORE

Grape

Grape has these Actions in Common

Alterative, General-laxative, Quenches-thirst, Anti-inflammatory, Immune-calming, Rebuilds-fluids, Antioxidant, Livotonic, Sialogogue

LEARN MORE

Lemon

Lemon has these Actions in Common

Alterative, Improves-focus, Relaxes-eyes, Digestive, Quenches-thirst, Sialogogue, General-laxative, Refreshing, Wakes-you-up

LEARN MORE

Cherry

Cherry has these Actions in Common

Antioxidant, Livotonic, Anti-inflammatory, General-laxative, Quenches-thirst, Anticarcinogenic, Improves-focus, Rebuilds-fluids

LEARN MORE

Lime

Lime has these Actions in Common

Alterative, Improves-focus, Sialogogue, Digestive, Quenches-thirst, Wakes-you-up, General-laxative, Refreshing

LEARN MORE

Pineapple

Pineapple has these Actions in Common

Digestive, Refreshing, General-laxative, Sialogogue, Anti-inflammatory, Quenches-thirst, Wakes-you-up

LEARN MORE

Dandelion Leaves

Dandelion Leaves has these Actions in Common

Anti-inflammatory, General-laxative, Antioxidant, Immune-calming, Alterative, Digestive, Livotonic

LEARN MORE

Green Tea

Green Tea has these Actions in Common

Anti-inflammatory, Digestive, Wakes-you-up, Anticarcinogenic, Immune-calming, Antioxidant, Refreshing

LEARN MORE

Turmeric Root (Fresh)

Turmeric Root (Fresh) has these Actions in Common

Anticarcinogenic, Immune-calming, Alterative, Antioxidant, Skin-tonic, Anti-inflammatory, Digestive

LEARN MORE

Herb Supplements with a Similar Nature to Strawberries

Amalaki

Amalaki has these Actions in Common

Digestive, Skin-tonic, General-laxative, Wakes-you-up, Improves-focus, Quenches-thirst, Rebuilds-fluids, Alterative, Refreshing, Anti-inflammatory, Relaxes-eyes, Antioxidant, Sialogogue

LEARN MORE

Licorice Ghee (9oz)

Licorice Ghee (9oz) has these Actions in Common

Alterative, Anti-inflammatory, Anticarcinogenic, Immune-calming, Livotonic, Rebuilds-fluids, Relaxes-eyes

LEARN MORE

Licorice Root (Yastimadhu)

Licorice Root (Yastimadhu) has these Actions in Common

Alterative, Anti-inflammatory, Anticarcinogenic, Immune-calming, Livotonic, Rebuilds-fluids, Relaxes-eyes

LEARN MORE

Triphala

Triphala has these Actions in Common

Alterative, Digestive, General-laxative, Improves-focus, Sialogogue, Skin-tonic

LEARN MORE

Nagaradi Kashaya (Amruthotharam)

Nagaradi Kashaya (Amruthotharam) has these Actions in Common

Alterative, Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, Digestive, General-laxative, Immune-calming

LEARN MORE

Bhumyamalaki

Bhumyamalaki has these Actions in Common

Alterative, Anti-inflammatory, Digestive, General-laxative, Livotonic, Skin-tonic

LEARN MORE

Haritaki

Haritaki has these Actions in Common

General-laxative, Immune-calming, Sialogogue, Alterative, Anti-inflammatory, Digestive

LEARN MORE

Schisandra

Schisandra has these Actions in Common

Digestive, Immune-calming, Improves-focus, Livotonic, Rebuilds-fluids, Sialogogue

LEARN MORE

External Breath (Bahya Pranayama)

External Breath (Bahya Pranayama) has these Actions in Common

Digestive, General-laxative, Refreshing, Wakes-you-up, Alterative

LEARN MORE

Sage, Red

Sage, Red has these Actions in Common

Alterative, Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, Immune-calming, Kidney-tonic

LEARN MORE

Milk Thistle

Milk Thistle has these Actions in Common

Alterative, Antioxidant, Immune-calming, Kidney-tonic, Livotonic

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Impact of Strawberries

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.