RECIPES AND HELPFUL HERBS

Herbs to help calm gas and indigestion:

  • fennel, mint, ginger, black pepper, sweet basil, cardamom, coriander, cinnamon, bay leaves – add any of these to your food when cooking.
  • Chamomile or mint tea sipped with meals or during the day are helpful in dispelling gas from the intestinal tract.
  • When getting ready for bed, rubbing castor oil in a clockwise motion on the abdomen in the area of your belly button and allowing that to soak into your skin overnight is also helpful. (you may want to wear pajamas that you do not mind if they get oil stained for this remedy)

To help rebuild your Agni = Digestive Fire:

  • Dipana / Pachana 1 teaspoon roasted fennel seeds, ½ teaspoon roasted cumin seeds and 1 pinch of salt. Dry roast seeds together in a cast iron skillet until golden brown (about 3-5 minutes) and then add salt. Chew ½ teaspoon of mixture 15-30 minutes before each meal. For indigestion, chew the same quantity immediately after each meal.
  • Ginger pickle ½ teaspoon grated ginger with a pinch of lemon, salt and black pepper. Mix together and eat 15-30 minutes before each meal.
  • CCF tea made from equal portions of cumin seeds, coriander seeds and fennel seeds. Use 1 teaspoon of the mixture per 1 cup of water. Boil for 5 minutes, steep for 2-5 minutes and strain. Drink 30 minutes before each meal.

Spice mixes to add to your cooking to re-balance your constitution:

Preparation process for all of the churnas: Put all ingredients into spice grinder and grind to fine powder. Put into airtight container and store in cool place. Use within a month to ensure freshness. Can also reduce or increase quantity depending on use. (from Eat-Taste-Heal)

VATA Churna: 2 TBS whole fennel seeds, 1 TBS whole coriander seeds, 1 Tbs whole cumin seeds, 1 TBs ground turmeric, 1 TBS dried basil, 2 tsp ground dried ginger, 2 tsp salt, 1 tsp hing powder.

PITTA Churna: 2 TBS whole coriander seeds, 2 TBS whole fennel seeds, 2 TBS whole cumin seeds, 2 TBS chopped fresh mint leaves, 1 TBS whole cardamom seeds, 1 TBS ground turmeric.

KAPHA Churna: 2 TBS whole coriander seeds, 1 TBS whole cumin seeds, 1 TBS whole fenugreek seeds, 1 TBS ground dried ginger, 1 TBS ground cinnamon, 1 TBS dried sage, 1 tsp ground clove, ½ tsp cayenne or chili powder.