The Complete Ayurvedic Cookbook - The Eumundi Medicine Man

5. YOGHURT Terribly bad, wonderfully good!
Knowledge certainly plays a major role in our health;
according to the Science of Life or Ayurveda.
Ayurveda is the ancient wisdom of India that embraces
health knowledge from more than 2000 years of
experience. The expertise on how to use yoghurt is a case
in point. According to Ayurvedic understanding –
yoghurt is really not a food, but an adjunct to food. It is
a great probiotic in small amounts, but a channel blocker
in larger quantities. Hence, those of us who are eating
large meals of yoghurt with a sweet taste will, ultimately
because the finer channels in our bodies to be blocked.
The penalty for over indulgence is congestion that can take the form of coughing,
wheezing, mucus discharge from the mouth, chest infection, halitosis (bad breath),
poor appetite, headaches, fungal infections and fatigue.
Ayurveda recommends taking yoghurt in small amounts; say a few tablespoons, with
Ayurvedic salt and/or pepper, once or twice a day.
Yoghurt consumption needs to be decreased in cold, damp weather. Over brewed
yoghurt with a tart or sour taste is considered ‘evil’ in the Ayurvedic tradition as,
inevitably, there will be a severe acidic effect on the body. Notably, we should also
avoid yoghurt with added milk solids or sugar, as it increases the channel blocking
power. Be careful of yoghurt after dark; especially in winter, and never mix milk at
the same sitting as this may cause flatulence or indigestion. Your expensive probiotic
powders and capsules are less effective than a dash of several brands of yoghurt;
according to a study by Australian Naturopath J. Hawrelak, and published in the
Journal of the Australian Traditional Medicine Society March 2002 (Volume 8, Issue
1). People with lactose intolerance can take this recommended amount of yoghurt
with no problem, because the lactose has been converted. However, if the yoghurt
has added milk solids then there may certainly be a severe reaction.
In conclusion: avoid sweet meals with large amounts of yoghurt. Save money and
have a dollop of yoghurt with pepper and/or salt for an excellent probiotic and
digestive effect. Avoid yoghurt that has sugar, added milk solids or is too sour. Eat
less than two tablespoons of yoghurt at a sitting. Even if you are lactose intolerant;
try a dash of pure yoghurt like ‘Paris Creek’ with pepper and a warm, savoury meal.
Please remember: Yoghurt is a great medicine, but once the line of excess is crossed
— yoghurt can be a great poison! In the light of Ayurvedic knowledge; you can
maintain your health in balance by choosing and taking your yoghurt wisely.
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