The Complete Ayurvedic Cookbook - The Eumundi Medicine Man
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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