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AYURVEDIC FOODS

Lemon 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 Lemon: Potatoes with Lemon & Thyme

Stimulating & Juicy

Lemons have a strong sour flavor, a vivid zing that puckers the lips. The potent lemon flavor has an equally strong effect on the body. Consuming the juice encourages saliva in your mouth which makes your mouth watery. It also encourages secretions in stomach and digestive tract organs, improving taste and digestion while freshening the breath. Lemon Juice softens stools as well, aiding regular elimination. The juice in hot water is a mild morning laxative choice for many, helping to keep your gut clean. Lemons nourish deficient blood plasma and help rebuild fluids.

Lemon & Cleansing

The fresh scent of lemon evokes the very icon of cleanliness and purity. The sour taste of lemon increases the flow of bile, flushing the liver and gall bladder. Since bile stores many blood born toxins, lemons also detoxify the blood. Flushing bile also helps to prevent gallstones, and improves fat metabolism. Every drink lemonade in the summer? Lemons have a cooling effect on the skin because they help you sweat. Sweat facilitates the elimination of toxins through the skin.

Lemon & the Lungs

The fruit has an effect on other body systems as well. Lemons promote fluid secretions in the lungs and blood plasma. The thick, muzzy mucus buildup of a spring Kapha imbalance can be broken up by consuming lemon juice. The juice aids in liquefying and expectorating the dense mucus. Dry and dehydrated Vata conditions, like Dry Stomach Syndrome, exacerbated by the crisp autumn months, are also aided by the fluid-giving nature of lemons. You may also turn to the sour fruit for cold and flu relief - lemons are loaded with vitamin C.

A Panacea?

Lemon juice is in fact an excellent remedy to have around for many complaints. For instance, lemon juice may be applied to sores to help the healing process, and relieve itching from bug bites. It may be used as a antibacterial gargle for sore throats. Lemons reduce acidity in the stomach. They reduce bleeding of the gums and internal mucus membranes, and reduce output of urinary calcium which helps to prevent kidney stones. They also reduce uric acid. Where limes soothe the lining of your digestive tract, lemons can aggravate Pitta when the digestive tract is already inflamed.

Recipes with Lemon: Broccoli with Garlic & Black Olive

About Lemon

The origin of lemons are a mystery. Do they come from southern india? burma? or china? Speculation abounds. Genetic study reveals lemons are a hybrid of a sour orange and a citron.

Cooking Lemon

Many food cultures, such as Moroccan cuisine, are in love with the sour juice and zingy zest, so in love that an excellent meal will include several lemons no matter the season. Lemons bring the sun-kissed brightness that is an indescribable factor, transforming a meal from blah to beautiful. California cuisine, a popular way of preparing fresh and seasonal food simply, relies heavily on good olive oil, quality sea salt, fresh herbs, and of course, lots of lemon juice, to great acclaim.

Lemons may be eaten raw by the brave, squeezed into drinks to lighten up sweet juices, as a finishing touch in a bean dish, or in fish and tofu marinades. Many would not consider a cup of tea proper without a wedge of lemon. The juice is favored in salad dressing and the essence of the American favorite, lemonade. Lemon zest appears in unlikely places, like in apple pie filling, or in more likely preparations, adding a lightness to aioli. Lemon tenderizes meat by breaking collagen fibers. Salty and sour preserved lemons are popular in Moroccan cuisine, elevating stew dishes from heavy into heavenly.

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Is Lemon Good for My Ayurvedic Diet?

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

SPECIES: Citrus lemon

FAMILY: Rutaceae

MEAL: SNACK-DESSERT

EAT IN: AUTUMN-WINTER

Metabolic Nature of Lemon

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	HOT ABOUT HOT BIOCHARACTERISTIC Hot is identified by increased body temperature, metabolism, or inflammation. LEARN MORE ABOUT HOT LIGHT ABOUT LIGHT BIOCHARACTERISTIC Lightness is identified by reduced weight. LEARN MORE ABOUT LIGHT LIQUEFIED ABOUT LIQUEFIED BIOCHARACTERISTIC Substances that thin fluids (lower viscosity of blood plasma). These may include blood thinners or mucolytic herbs. LEARN MORE ABOUT LIQUEFIED CLEAR ABOUT CLEAR BIOCHARACTERISTIC Clear refers to anything that cleanses or flushes out wastes, or that digests ama. LEARN MORE ABOUT CLEAR EASY ABOUT EASY BIOCHARACTERISTIC Easy refers to anything easy to digest, or digests quickly. LEARN MORE ABOUT EASY
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 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
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	Moves Energy: Outward OUTWARD Outward-moving substances stimulate circulation, push heat towards the skin, or are stimulating. SEE ALL 'OUTWARD' FOODS / HERBS Tissue (dhatu): Red Blood RED-BLOOD Red blood (Rakta Dhatu) includes red blood cells and blood vessels. SEE ALL 'RED-BLOOD' FOODS / HERBS Affinity: Bowel Poop Elimination, 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: Rutaceae
HERBAL ACTIONS (see all)	Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Lemon 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 , Sialogogue STRONG 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 , Appetizer APPETIZER Herbs that cleanse the palate & stimulate hunger or desire to eat. SEE ALL 'APPETIZER' FOODS / HERBS , 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. SEE ALL 'CARMINATIVE' FOODS / HERBS , Digestive DIGESTIVE Herbs that encourage healthy digestion. SEE ALL 'DIGESTIVE' 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 , Stool Softener STOOL-SOFTENER Softens hard and difficult to eliminate stool. Stool softeners are the safest and most gentle type of laxative. Examples include warm milk with ghee. SEE ALL 'STOOL-SOFTENER' FOODS / HERBS Cleanse & Detox: Internal Detoxicant INTERNAL-DETOXICANT Liquefies, dissolves, decongests or dislodges internal stagnant toxins. Decongests the lymphatic system. SEE ALL 'INTERNAL-DETOXICANT' 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: Diaphoretic DIAPHORETIC An herb that induces sweating, often by dilating blood vessels close to the skin. SEE ALL 'DIAPHORETIC' FOODS / HERBS , Refreshes Skin REFRESHES-SKIN Flushes the lymphatic system to cool, awaken, and revive the skin. SEE ALL 'REFRESHES-SKIN' FOODS / HERBS , Emollient EMOLLIENT Soothes & softens the skin. Often a topical demulcent or oil. SEE ALL 'EMOLLIENT' FOODS / HERBS , Vulnerary VULNERARY An herb used for the treatment of wounds (antiulcer, connective tissue tonic). SEE ALL 'VULNERARY' FOODS / HERBS Respiratory-Health: Antitussive ANTITUSSIVE Cough suppressant, particularly for dry coughs or a tickle in your throat. SEE ALL 'ANTITUSSIVE' FOODS / HERBS , Decongestant DECONGESTANT An herb that reduces mucus production often by restricting blood flow to mucus membranes. SEE ALL 'DECONGESTANT' FOODS / HERBS , Expectorant EXPECTORANT Expectorants help you eliminate mucus from the lungs. These herbs often work by increasing the quantity of mucus, or thinning the mucus. Expectorants are indicated when phlegm congests the lower respiratory tract. SEE ALL 'EXPECTORANT' FOODS / HERBS Immune System: Antimicrobial ANTIMICROBIAL An agent that kills microorganisms or inhibits their growth. Antimicrobial is an umbrella term that can be broken down into specific categories of target microorganism, such as anti-bacterials, fungals, and virals. SEE ALL 'ANTIMICROBIAL' FOODS / HERBS , Flushes Membranes FLUSHES-MEMBRANES Herbs in this category stimulate mucus membranes to release fluids, flushing them out. SEE ALL 'FLUSHES-MEMBRANES' FOODS / HERBS Heart & Circulation: 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.' SEE ALL 'CALMS-HEART' 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 , Refrigerant REFRIGERANT An herb or substance that strongly cools the body. Can be helpful in cases of heat conditions. SEE ALL 'REFRIGERANT' FOODS / HERBS Liver & Gallbladder: Cholagogue STRONG CHOLAGOGUE Cholagogues stimulate the production & release of bile from the liver & gallbladder. This refreshes and cleanses these organs, as well as increases bile in the small intestines. SEE ALL 'CHOLAGOGUE' FOODS / HERBS Constituents: Rutin STRONG 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. SEE ALL 'RUTIN' FOODS / HERBS , Aromatase Inhibitor AROMATASE-INHIBITOR Blocks estrogen synthesis by inhibiting conversion of progesterone and testosterone into estrogen. SEE ALL 'AROMATASE-INHIBITOR' FOODS / HERBS , 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. SEE ALL 'FLAVONOIDS' FOODS / HERBS , Polyphenols POLYPHENOLS Polyphenols are powerful antioxidants seen in many fruits and vegetables. There are more than 8,000 types. SEE ALL 'POLYPHENOLS' FOODS / HERBS

Foods with a Similar Nature to Lemon

Lime

Lime has these Actions in Common

Sialogogue, Alterative, Diaphoretic, Expectorant, Improves-focus, Refreshing, Stool-softener, Appetizer, Digestive, Flushes-membranes, Internal-detoxicant, Refrigerant, Wakes-you-up, Cholagogue, Emollient, General-laxative, Quenches-thirst

LEARN MORE

Mustard

Mustard has these Actions in Common

Decongestant, Expectorant, Wakes-you-up, Antimicrobial, Diaphoretic, Flushes-membranes, Carminative, Digestive, Internal-detoxicant

LEARN MORE

Red Wine Vinegar

Red Wine Vinegar has these Actions in Common

Alterative, Emollient, General-laxative, Sialogogue, Cholagogue, Expectorant, Improves-focus, Diaphoretic, Flushes-membranes, Internal-detoxicant

LEARN MORE

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple Cider Vinegar has these Actions in Common

Diaphoretic, Flushes-membranes, Internal-detoxicant, Alterative, Emollient, General-laxative, Sialogogue, Cholagogue, Expectorant, Improves-focus

LEARN MORE

White Vinegar

White Vinegar has these Actions in Common

Emollient, General-laxative, Sialogogue, Cholagogue, Expectorant, Improves-focus, Diaphoretic, Flushes-membranes, Internal-detoxicant, Alterative

LEARN MORE

Mustard Powder

Mustard Powder has these Actions in Common

Diaphoretic, Flushes-membranes, Carminative, Digestive, Internal-detoxicant, Decongestant, Expectorant, Wakes-you-up, Antimicrobial

LEARN MORE

Strawberries

Strawberries has these Actions in Common

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

LEARN MORE

Acai

Acai has these Actions in Common

Cholagogue, Quenches-thirst, Relaxes-eyes, General-laxative, Refreshing, Wakes-you-up, Alterative, Improves-focus, Refrigerant

LEARN MORE

Mustard Seed

Mustard Seed has these Actions in Common

Wakes-you-up, Antimicrobial, Diaphoretic, Flushes-membranes, Carminative, Digestive, Internal-detoxicant, Decongestant, Expectorant

LEARN MORE

Salt (Mineral Salt)

Salt (Mineral Salt) has these Actions in Common

Antimicrobial, Flushes-membranes, Sialogogue, Cholagogue, General-laxative, Stool-softener, Digestive, Internal-detoxicant

LEARN MORE

Herb Supplements with a Similar Nature to Lemon

Amalaki

Amalaki has these Actions in Common

Improves-focus, Wakes-you-up, Internal-detoxicant, Quenches-thirst, Refreshing, Alterative, Refrigerant, Carminative, Relaxes-eyes, Digestive, Sialogogue, General-laxative, Stool-softener

LEARN MORE

Haritaki

Haritaki has these Actions in Common

Digestive, Expectorant, Flushes-membranes, General-laxative, Alterative, Internal-detoxicant, Antimicrobial, Sialogogue, Appetizer, Stool-softener, Carminative, Vulnerary

LEARN MORE

Triphala

Triphala has these Actions in Common

General-laxative, Improves-focus, Internal-detoxicant, Sialogogue, Stool-softener, Alterative, Vulnerary, Digestive, Flushes-membranes

LEARN MORE

Goldenseal

Goldenseal has these Actions in Common

Antimicrobial, Cholagogue, Decongestant, Digestive, General-laxative, Internal-detoxicant, Refrigerant, Alterative, Vulnerary

LEARN MORE

Kushta

Kushta has these Actions in Common

Diaphoretic, Digestive, Expectorant, Internal-detoxicant, Vulnerary, Antimicrobial, Appetizer, Carminative

LEARN MORE

Hyssop Powder

Hyssop Powder has these Actions in Common

Expectorant, Improves-focus, Internal-detoxicant, Refreshing, Vulnerary, Antimicrobial, Carminative, Diaphoretic

LEARN MORE

Echinacea

Echinacea has these Actions in Common

Refrigerant, Vulnerary, Alterative, Antimicrobial, Decongestant, Diaphoretic, Digestive, Internal-detoxicant

LEARN MORE

Chyavanprash Nutritive Jam

Chyavanprash Nutritive Jam has these Actions in Common

Digestive, Expectorant, General-laxative, Internal-detoxicant, Stool-softener, Alterative, Antitussive, Carminative

LEARN MORE

Breathing Exercises

Breathing Exercises has these Actions in Common

General-laxative, Internal-detoxicant, Refreshing, Wakes-you-up, Alterative, Decongestant, Digestive, Expectorant

LEARN MORE

Thyme White Essential Oil - 1/3 oz

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

Expectorant, Internal-detoxicant, Vulnerary, Antimicrobial, Appetizer, Decongestant, Diaphoretic, Digestive

LEARN MORE

Bellows Breath (Bhastrika Pranayama)

Bellows Breath (Bhastrika Pranayama) has these Actions in Common

Expectorant, General-laxative, Internal-detoxicant, Refreshing, Wakes-you-up, Alterative, Decongestant, Digestive

LEARN MORE

Impact of Lemon

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.