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Energetic Properties Energetic Properties Listed
are some categories of the Energetic
Properties of the
various grains/foods/spices/herbs used in BABS
Bakery products. The choice is yours to better understand the
energetic
properties in order to use these and many other foods in knowing your
constitution/seasonal habits in order to better balance your body. Most
terminology is from Ayurveda and Chinese medicine. BABS
Bakery has tried its best to counterbalance many of the foods
we serve to suit the season and constitutions. Please read BABS
Bakery disclaimer/disclosure page for more information, as BABS Bakery makes no claims
to your choice of foods or dietary lifestyle. The references are listed
and the
choice to pursue food and the lifestyle you want to live is based on
your own
personal needs and health. http://www.babsbakery.com/disclosure.html Spices & Herbs Energetic
Properties
Slippery
Elm Bark-
Temperature- Cool;
Flavor- sweet; Tonifies Yin; Regulates heat. Route-
lung, stomach, large intestine, bladder. Cardamom
(Ela)-
sweet/hot/pungent VK- (P+ in excess- large
Ela.) In the Action-
Carminative, diaphoretic, expectorant, digestive stimulant, stomachic. Route-
Spleen, stomach, lung, large intestine; regulates- damp, resolves
phlegm, Qi
circulation, counteracts cold. Resolves Damp. Supports Yang. |
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| website by Giobellas | |
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Salt
(Namak/Lavan)-
salty/hot/sweet V- PK+ Makes food
digestible, aids saliva
and gastric juices, relieves muscle tension. Removes Heat. Various
kinds of salt are: Sea Salt, Mineral Salt. Salts from India- Black salt
(Sel
Noir) light pink in color, Black Salt being light grey in color, Rock
Salt
(Sendhav) off white in color and is not suppose to cause edema. Cinnamon
(Thwak/Tvak)- astringent/hot/pungent VK- P+ Good for plasma, muscles, marrow,
nerves. Aids in digestion for angi
(digestive fire), heart strengthening, gas, and is sattwic.
Drives out invasion of Wind Cold/Cold. Action-
Alterative, analgesic, antibacterial, antifungal, antiseptic,
antirheumatic,
antispasmodic, aromatic, astringent, carminative, demulcent,
diaphoretic,
digestive, diuretic, expectorant, germicide, hemostatic, stimulant and
stomachic. Cinnamon
Bark---Route- Kidney, lung, spleen, heart, uterus; tonifies; Yang, Qi;
regulates- cold, damp, Qi circulation, blood circulation. Cinnamon
Twig--- Route- Bladder, heart, lung; regulates- Wind Cold, Wind Damp
Cold; Drives
out invasion of Wind Cold/Cold. Nutmeg
(Malathi-phalam; Jati-phalam)-
astringent/hot/pungent VKP=
best sedative of all spices; tamasic. For
abdominal pain, poor absorption especially in the small intestine.
Drives out
Cold. Actions-
Stimulant, carminative, astringent. Route-
Large intestine, spleen, stomach; tonifies- Yang; regulates- Blood
circulation,
Qi circulation, counteracts cold. Cloves
(Lavangaha)- Pungent/hot/pungent K-
P+ V+ in excess, rajasic. Good for gas, nausea,
nerves, indigestion and opens up srotas(Channels or
pores). Drives out
Cold; Resolves Damp; Supports Yang. Action-
Stimulant, expectorant, decongestant, anthelmintic, analgesic,
aphrodisiac. Route-
Kidney, spleen, stomach; tonifies- Yang; regulates- counteracts cold,
Qi
circulation. Good for Qi Stagnation. Licorice-
Temperature-
neutral; Flavor- sweet;
Route- Stomach, intestines, lung, kidney,
heart; Tonifies- Qi; Regulates- heat, resolves phlegm. Supports Qi. Cumin
(Jiraka, Jira)-
Pungent/hot/pungent VKP= Digests bread like dill
and
fennel relatives, digestion, distention. Action-
Stimulant, carminative, lactogogue, diuretic, used like fennel and
dill. Used
for over eating heavy foods. Route-
Liver, stomach. Black
Pepper (Maricha)-
Pungent/hot/pungent VK- P+ rajasic.
Burns up ama very well, digests fat and obesity,
raises agni, caution of prone to congestive heart
failure. Drives out
invasion of Wind Cold/Cold; Resolves Phlegm. Action-
Stimulant, carminative, decongestant, expectorant. Route-
Kidney, heart, large intestine, stomach; regulates- cold, damp,
resolves
phlegm, removes toxins, Qi circulation. Pippali, or
long pepper, is
from Galingale-
Temperature- Hot; Flavor-
Pungent; Route- Spleen, stomach; Regulates- Counteracts Cold. Ginger
(Ardrakam/Shuntha- Shunthi)-
Sweet/hot/sweet VK- P= Good
for all tissues having many healing properties, taken with rock salt it
reduces
Vayu, with rock candy reduces pitta, with honey it reduces Kapha,
indigestion, arthritis,
belching, flatulence, colic, and good for increasing agni
(digestive fire). Drives out Cold. Action-
Analgesic, antiemetic, aromatic, aphrodisiac, carminative, diaphoretic,
digestive, expectorant, nervine, sialagogue, stimulant. Dry
Ginger Route- Lung, stomach, spleen, intestines, heart, uterus;
regulates-
counteracts cold, resolves phlegm, Qi circulation, Blood circulation.
Supports Yang. Fresh
Ginger Route- Lung, stomach, spleen, intestines, heart, uterus;
Regulates-
counteracts cold, resolves phlegm, Qi circulation, Wind Cold; Drives
out
invasion of Wind Cold. Asafoetida
(Hing)-
Pungent/hot/pungent VK- P+ in excess tamasic. Considered
best Vayu spice relieving abdominal pain, distention etc., strengthens
heart,
exorcism. Best for bean digestion, yet good in all digestive uses.
Aggravates
bile, or acid conditions. Actions-
Stimulant, carminative, antispasmodic, anthelmintic. Holy
Basil (Tulasi/Tulsi)-
pungent/hot/pungent VK- P+ in
excess. Works in digestion, on plasma, nerves,
reproductive,
blood, marrow, respiratory, with many other multiple uses. Tulsi
contains the trace mineral copper needed to absorb iron,
purifies the air when grown, as if it were a natural negative ion
machine. Also
regarded as sacred, sattwic (purity)
in use, increases prana (life breath)
and cleanses the aura. Action-
Antibacterial, antimalarial, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antiviral,
analgesic,
diaphoretic, diuretic, febrifuge, nervine, vermifuge. Peppermint
(Paparaminta)-
Sweet/cold/pungent VPK= Colds, flu, sore throats, opens mind, promotes
emotional
harmony, opens
senses. Good for Qi Stagnation;
Drives out invasion of Wind Heat. Drives out invasion of Wind Cold;
Drives out
invasion of Wind Damp; Removes Heat. Resolves Phlegm. Action-
Stimulant, diaphoretic, carminative, analgesic. Route-
Liver, lung; regulates- Wind Heat. Tumeric
(Haridra/ Gauri)-
Pungent/hot/pungent. K- VP+ in excess Good
for all tissues, arthritis, blood purifier,
digestion, gas, fevers,
a natural antibiotic, thus improving the microflora. Action-
Alterative, anthelmintic, antibacterial/antibiotic, aromatic,
carminative,
stimulant tonic, vulnerary. Drives out invasion of Wind Damp. Route-
Spleen, stomach; regulates- Qi circulation, Wind Damp Cold, Blood
circulation. Good
for Blood Stagnation; Good for Qi Stagnation. Mullein-
Temperature-
Cool; Flavor- sweet; Route- Lung, stomach, large intestine, bladder;
Tonifies- Yin;
Regulates- Damp
Heat, resolves phlegm. Thyme
(Ipar)-
Pungent/hot/pungent VK- P+
Indigestion, sever cough, menstrual
disorders, gas, bad breath. Drives out invasion of Wind Damp; Resolves
Phlegm; Supports Yang. Action-
Stimulant, diaphoretic, anticough, anthelmintic, antiseptic. Route-
Lung, spleen, kidney, bladder, heart, uterus; tonifies- Qi; regulates-
resolves
phlegm, counteracts cold, Qi circulation, Wind Cold. Hyssop-
Temperature- Warm;
Route- Lung, stomach, large intestine, bladder. Useful for bruises,
dropsy,
gas, and promotes healing of wounds. Action-
Stimulant, carminative, astringent, diaphoretic, expectorant, stomachic. Feverfew-
Temperature- Cool;
Flavor- Bitter; Route- Liver;
Regulates- heat, Wind Heat. Sage
(Salbia-sefakuss)- Astringent/hot/pungent VK-
P+ in excess. Clears srotas, opens head
and lungs, calms heart, dries excess mucus, calms brain. Drives out
invasion of
Wind Heat; Drives out invasion of Wind Cold; Supports Qi.
Supports Yang. Action-
Stimulant, diuretic, nervine, astringent. Route-
Heart, lung, kidney, liver, uterus; tonifies- Qi; regulates- Wind Heat,
Wind Cold,
Heat, Damp, resolves phlegm. Coriander
(Dhyanaka)-
Good for blood,
plasma, tissue, digestion, main herb for digestive and skin rash
problems,
indigestion, griping, neuralgia, internal heat, skin rashes. Not to be
used in
excess Vayu nerve tissue deficiency. Antidotes hot pungent foods.
Resolves
Damp. Action-
Alterative, antibilious, aphrodisiac, aromatic, carminative,
diaphoretic,
diuretic, stimulant, stomachic, tonic. Route-
Stomach; regulates- Cold, Qi circulation. Good for Qi Stagnation.
Coriander
leaf- drives out invasion of Wind Cold. Coriander
seed- drives out Cold. Fennel
(Methica, Sonph)-
Sweet/cold/sweet VPK=
Abdominal pain, colic, gas, indigestion,
nausea, digestion for children and elderly, raises agni (digestive
fire). Most Sattwic
(purity) spice. Action-
Stimulant, diuretic, carminative, stomachic, antispasmodic, lactogogue.
Good
for Qi Stagnation. Route-
Kidney, bladder, spleen, stomach, liver; tonifies- Qi, Yang; regulates- counteracts cold, resolves phlegm,
Qi circulation. Fennel
seed drives out Cold; Supports Yang. Foods Energetic
Properties Sugar- In
excess deranges
all humors. A certain amount is needed of the sweet taste to maintain
tissue
development, because the basic of our body is sweet. White-
sweet/cold/sweet VPK+ increases ama. In moderation can build tissue, but better to use
whole sugars
listed. Route-
spleen, stomach, lung. Brown
Sugar-
white sugar with
syrup added. Slightly less deleterious effect. Good for Blood
Stagnation; Drives out Cold. Route-
liver, spleen, stomach, lung. Rock
Candy- (Mishri)
made from sugar it
gives energy. Good after dinner for digestion! Useful in summer drinks
and is
better than molasses. Used in pujas
or rituals to deities and then eaten as prasad
or blessed food. Action:
demulcent. Maple
Sugar-
sweet/cold/sweet VP-
K+ Natural sugar Action:
demulcent. Molasses- V-
PK+ Builds blood
and muscles. Supports Qi. Action:
iron, nutritive, tonic. Route-
kidney, liver, stomach, spleen, lung. Lactose-
Milk sugar. Empowers
herbs. Action:
tonic. Maltose/Malt
syrup-
sweet/cold/sweet
abdominal and intestinal spasms, colic. Malt sugar drives out Cold. Action:
tonic, demulcent, analgesic. Route-
lung, spleen, stomach. Rice
syrup-
route- stomach,
spleen.
Jaggery
(Guda)-
sweet/hot/sweet V-
PK+ contains vitamins/minerals, raw. Whole cane, such as sucant, are
similar to jaggery, but are cooler for pitta
doshas in digestion. Helps
eliminate feces and urine. Good tasting and easily prepared! Action:
rejuvenative, tonic. Honey
(Madhu)-
best sweetener, used
raw. Sweet/hot/sweet VK- P+ There are
many healing properties (vehicle- anupana-
to bring herbs to deepest tissue layers) as there are contraindications
for
honey, such as it is a subtle toxin taken in equal proportions of Ghee in which it will breed ama
(toxins). Supports Yin. Action:
demulcent, emollient, expectorant, laxative, nutritive, tonic,
rejuvenative,
external- demulcent, astringent, antibiotic. Route-
large intestine, lung, spleen; Tonifies- Yin, Qi. Fruit
Sugar- sweet/cold/sweet VP- K+ weaken digestion and
promote ama in excess. Date sugar
& gape sugar are better, know the source of sugar. Beet
sugar-
This type of sugar
is derived from the refining of sugar beets. It contains 99.9% pure
sucrose,
while it is also a suitable substitute for cane sugar in all recipes.
There are
some people who are allergic to table sugar, yet may be able to use
beet sugar.
Make sure your sources are from NON-GMO sugar beets. Cane
sugar-
sweet/cold/sweet VP-
K+ laxative, hard to digest without proper spices, builds body tissue. Milk-
(Dugdha, Kshira) sweet/cold/sweet VP- K+ Highly sattwic/sattva,
or energy of purity.
Nourishes plasma, skin, all tissues, especially shukra
dhatu. Supports Yin. Many
wonderful properties of milk; especially when taken with Chayavan
prash, a nutritive jam. Cow-
easily digested, best
of milks. Goat-
warm energy- K-
VP+ Easily digested and heals bleeding
disorders, and difficulty in breathing; pulmonary. Action:
tonic, rejuvenative, nutritive, aphrodisiac, calmative, laxative. Note:
Dairy allergies may be due to the inorganic substances and the heavy
nature of
milk- kapha- Antidotes such as ginger
and cinnamon help alleviate this issue. AM-
aphrodisiac--- Noon- digestive stimulant --- PM- for children, calmative, laxative. Date
palm or Dates (Kharjura)- sweet/cold/sweet VP- K+ in excess V+ if dry.
Added to herbal formulas as tonic, as it is good for wasting diseases
and
injuries. Drives out Cold. Supports Blood.
Supports Qi. Action-
nutritive, tonic, aphrodisiac, one of the best fruit strengtheners,
demulcent,
laxative, refrigerant, febrifuge, expectorant.. Route-
liver, lung, spleen: tonifies, Qi,
Blood. Butter-
sweet/cold/pungent
VP- K+ Strengthens and stabilizes in debility and convalescence,
thought heavy
and fattening and may cause constipation in excess. Good for Blood Stagnation; Drives out Cold.
Ghee
(Ghrita)-
sweet/cold/sweet VP- K= mildly.
Known/translated as clarified butter in the Actions-
Tonic, emollient, rejuvenative, antacid, nutritive. Route-
Stomach, spleen; tonifies- Yin, Jing. Eggs-
sweet/hot/sweet
white- VPK+: Yolk- V- PK+ less tamasic
than meat and fish because they are not killed. Action: tonic,
nutritive,
demulcent, aphrodisiac. Supports Yin; Egg
White removes Heat. Route-
Chicken- egg white- lung; regulates heat. Whole egg- heart, kidney,
lung,
stomach, spleen, liver; tonifies- yin, qi, blood; regulates- blood
circulation.
Good for Blood Stagnation; Supports
Essence/Jing; Supports Blood. Vinegar
(Vikankar)-
sour/hot/sour V- PK+
(K mild) Aids in secretion of hydrochloric acid. Never use in excess to
taste,
can be harmful to other elements in body. Action:
digestive, circulatory stimulant. Route-
liver, stomach; regulates- Qi circulation, removes toxins, counter acts
cold,
promotes Blood circulation. Good for Blood
Stagnation; Good for Qi Stagnation;
Drives out Cold. Agar-
Temperature- cold;
flavor- sweet, salty; route- liver, lung, large intestine. Walnuts
(Akshota)-
Sweet/hot/sweet V- PK+
High in potassium, magnesium, vitamin A, reduces serum
cholesterol. Good
for marrow, reproductive tissue, and skin conditions. Resolves Phlegm. Action-
Nutritive, aphrodisiac, laxative, nervine; unripe fruit and husk are
antiparasitical. Route-
Kidney, lung, intestines; tonifies- Yang, Qi, Jing; regulates- cold,
resolves
phlegm. Drives out Cold; Supports Essence/Jing; Supports Yang. Almonds
(Badama) –
bitter/hot/sweet
VPK+ Increases marrow, godod for reproductive organs, convalescence,
lowers bad
cholesterol (LDL), raised good cholesterol (HDL), high in potassium,
magnesium,
phosphorus, protein, fiber, and the trace mineral boron that may
regulate
calcium metabolism. Drains Phlegm; Supports Essence/Jing; Supports Qi. Action-
Nutritive, nervine, aphrodisiac, demulcent, laxative, rejuvenation. Route-
Lung, large intestine, spleen; tonifies- Qi, Jing; regulates- Qi
circulation,
resolves phlegm. Chocolate- sour/hot/sweet VPK+
can be rajasic and tamasic when
used or prepared in large quantities, needs counterbalances. Action-
Stimulant, calmative, aphrodisiac. When prepared with white sugar it
deranges
Kapha. Coconut
(Nariyal/Dirghavraksha)-
sweet/cold/sweet VP-
K+ in excess. Nourishes and softens skin,
increases shurka dhatu, and one of
the easiest oils to digest! Supports Qi. Action-
tonic, emollient, refrigerant. Route-
heart, spleen, stomach, large intestine; tonifies- Qi, Blood. Coconut
water relieves Vayu and Pitta dosha
concerns. Further
information- http://www.babsbakery.com/coconut.html
Also
refer to Dr. Bruce Fife’s book- Coconut
Cures. Sunflower-
(Suryamukhi)
astringent/cold/sweet VPK= Skin, lung heat, cough and high in vitamin E. Temperature-
neutral, flavor-sweet. Route-
spleen, intestines; tonifies Qi.
Grains Energetic
Properties Whole
grain is the staple for all climates and constitutions, gives bulk to
stool,
easy to digest, and is Sattwic/sattwa (purity;
one of the three gunas). (Gunas- three qualities of fundamental laws of
nature
being--- sattwa-creation, rajas-
maintenance, tamas- dissolution.) Spelt- sweet/warm/sweet VPK=
Builds all tissues. Action-
gives bulk to stool, easy to digest. Supports Yin. Route-
spleen; tonifies Yin. Oats-
Sweet/cold/sweet VP- K+ Builds all tissues
normalizes glucose,
high amounts of iron, vitamin E, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, and B
complex,
protein is easily assimilated. A little heavy and hard to digest,
especially
with sugar and milk, will aggravate toxic blood conditions. Route-
Kidney,
stomach, spleen, heart, lungs, large intestine; tonifies- Qi, Blood;
regulates-
Qi circulation. Action-
demulcent, emollient, laxative (especially cut or rolled). Works
on Shen level (spirit or consciousness)
to help lift depression; Supports Qi. Barley
(Yava)-
astringent/cold/sweet PK- V+ in
excess Reduces body fat and mucus, helps
difficult breathing, removes toxins, helps prevent cholesterol
absorption in
intestines, contains calcium, iron, protein and potassium. Removes
Heat; Resolves
Damp; Drains Water. Action-
Diuretic, demulcent, antirheumatic. Route-
Spleen, stomach, gall bladder, bladder, intestines; tonifies- Blood,
Qi, Yin;
regulates- wind, damp, heat, toxins. Psyllium-
astringent/cold/pungent VPK=
Action-
antiinflammatory for digestive tract, laxative, may cause gas initially. Wheat
(Godhuma)-
astringent/cold/sweet
VPK+ Best grain for Vayu dosha, nourishing and strengthening, builds
muscle
tissue, energy, heart, earth, calms mind, with milk and sugar for
bleeding
disorders (rakta Pitta). Removes
Heat; Supports Yin. Contraindications-
Gluten may cause allergies, aggravate arthritis, gout or any other ama conditions. Refined white flour is
an artificial food and tamasic (lethargy),
K+ ama + while it clogs channels and dulls mind. Action-
Nutritive, aphrodisiac. Route-
Heart, kidney, spleen; tonifies- Yin; regulates- heat. Works
on Shen level (spirit or
consciousness) to help relieve anxiety. References-
Chesterman,
C- Lowe, K (1979, 1998) National Audubon Society
Field Guide to North American Rocks and Minerals. Chanticleer
Press, Inc. A
Borzoi Book, Published by Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. Berg, Y. (2000) The
Power of Kabbalah. Jodere Group. Jodere Group, Inc.
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