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The Complete Ayurvedic Cookbook - The Eumundi Medicine Man

The Complete Ayurvedic Cookbook - The Eumundi Medicine Man

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5. YOGHURT Terribly bad, wonderfully good!<br />

Knowledge certainly plays a major role in our health;<br />

according to the Science of Life or Ayurveda.<br />

Ayurveda is the ancient wisdom of India that embraces<br />

health knowledge from more than 2000 years of<br />

experience. <strong>The</strong> expertise on how to use yoghurt is a case<br />

in point. According to <strong>Ayurvedic</strong> understanding –<br />

yoghurt is really not a food, but an adjunct to food. It is<br />

a great probiotic in small amounts, but a channel blocker<br />

in larger quantities. Hence, those of us who are eating<br />

large meals of yoghurt with a sweet taste will, ultimately<br />

because the finer channels in our bodies to be blocked.<br />

<strong>The</strong> penalty for over indulgence is congestion that can take the form of coughing,<br />

wheezing, mucus discharge from the mouth, chest infection, halitosis (bad breath),<br />

poor appetite, headaches, fungal infections and fatigue.<br />

Ayurveda recommends taking yoghurt in small amounts; say a few tablespoons, with<br />

<strong>Ayurvedic</strong> salt and/or pepper, once or twice a day.<br />

Yoghurt consumption needs to be decreased in cold, damp weather. Over brewed<br />

yoghurt with a tart or sour taste is considered ‘evil’ in the <strong>Ayurvedic</strong> tradition as,<br />

inevitably, there will be a severe acidic effect on the body. Notably, we should also<br />

avoid yoghurt with added milk solids or sugar, as it increases the channel blocking<br />

power. Be careful of yoghurt after dark; especially in winter, and never mix milk at<br />

the same sitting as this may cause flatulence or indigestion. Your expensive probiotic<br />

powders and capsules are less effective than a dash of several brands of yoghurt;<br />

according to a study by Australian Naturopath J. Hawrelak, and published in the<br />

Journal of the Australian Traditional <strong>Medicine</strong> Society March 2002 (Volume 8, Issue<br />

1). People with lactose intolerance can take this recommended amount of yoghurt<br />

with no problem, because the lactose has been converted. However, if the yoghurt<br />

has added milk solids then there may certainly be a severe reaction.<br />

In conclusion: avoid sweet meals with large amounts of yoghurt. Save money and<br />

have a dollop of yoghurt with pepper and/or salt for an excellent probiotic and<br />

digestive effect. Avoid yoghurt that has sugar, added milk solids or is too sour. Eat<br />

less than two tablespoons of yoghurt at a sitting. Even if you are lactose intolerant;<br />

try a dash of pure yoghurt like ‘Paris Creek’ with pepper and a warm, savoury meal.<br />

Please remember: Yoghurt is a great medicine, but once the line of excess is crossed<br />

— yoghurt can be a great poison! In the light of <strong>Ayurvedic</strong> knowledge; you can<br />

maintain your health in balance by choosing and taking your yoghurt wisely.<br />

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